BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Ten WKU Football players took part in the program's annual Pro Day at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Monday.
Quarterback Austin Reed, receiver Malachi Corley, receiver Craig Burt, Jr., running back Markese Stepp, defensive back Rome Weber, defensive back Davion Williams, defensive back Takulve Williams, defensive lineman Kenyonte Davis, linebacker Niko Cooper, and offensive/defensive lineman Tyrese Black participated for the Hilltoppers.
"It was amazing to have (31) of the NFL teams here," Corley said. "I think a lot of them had some GMs here and Assistant GMs here, had coaches, OCs, receiver coaches here. It was an amazing environment to have the people I started with being here for such a special day and to really end it here, the last showing on Western Kentucky's field. It was a great experience having my family here, but not only my family, but my extended family, as far as Western Kentucky and all of my teammates."
WKU's Pro Day drew a great crowd of scouts, with nearly 50 representatives from 31 NFL organizations.
The Hilltoppers had 12 former players on NFL rosters last season, including Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin, who were both in attendance at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Monday.
"It was a blessing, honestly," Davion Williams said. "We got to come out here and showcase our talent in front of almost all 32 teams in the NFL. I can't ask for nothing better than that."
The event began inside the weight room for testing, before moving outside for the 40-yard dash, shuttles, and three-cone drill. Defensive linemen and linebackers followed with position workouts, with quarterback/receiver/running back workouts after, and defensive back and linebacker workouts to end the field activities.
"It was great. It was cool to be able to be out there with Craig and Malachi and then it was awesome, too, that we were able to get River (Helms) and Dalvin (Smith) even though technically it's not their Pro Day, and Markese as well. It was really cool to get to throw to those guys," Reed said. "I've obviously built a relationship with them for so long and it's cool to be able to do it again with those guys one more time out on Feix (Field)."
The Hilltoppers went 8-5 in 2023, capping off the season with a 38-35 overtime victory against Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl.
Reed started at quarterback in each of WKU's 12 regular-season games during the 2023 season, throwing for 3,340 yards and 31 touchdowns to 11 interceptions on 289-of-470 passing. He had 10 games with multiple touchdown passes thrown, and he also ran for 100 yards and four touchdowns on 42 attempts. In two seasons as a Hilltopper, he threw for 8,084 yards and 71 touchdowns on 678-of-1073 passing with 22 interceptions. He also rushed for 324 yards and 12 touchdowns on 133 attempts during that time. Reed finished his WKU career ranking fourth in program history in pass attempts (1,073), third in pass completions (678), fourth in passing yards (8,084), tied for sixth in completion percentage (.632), second in touchdown passes (71), third in yards (8,410), and tied for eighth in wins as a starting quarterback (16).
Corley appeared in 49 games with 32 starts over his four seasons with the Hilltoppers. He totaled 3,033 yards and 29 touchdowns on 259 receptions during that period – an average of 61.9 yards per game over the 49 games. Corley broke the program's career receptions record in the 2023 regular-season finale, and finished second in program history in touchdown receptions and third in receiving yards.
Burt played in 41 games with 15 starts over his four-year WKU career, catching 68 passes for 689 yards and six touchdowns. Burt appeared in 12 games with seven starts in his final season with the Hilltoppers. He caught 28 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns, including a career-high seven catches in the Famous Toastery Bowl.
Stepp played in 15 games for WKU over two seasons, adding depth in the running backs room. During that time, he rushed for 476 yards and three touchdowns on 97 carries. He also had seven receptions for 73 yards over two seasons with the program. Stepp appeared in 11 games at running back for the Hilltoppers during the 2023 season, tallying 310 yards and three touchdowns on 69 attempts while adding 73 yards on seven receptions.
Davion Williams played in 39 games for the Hilltoppers over three seasons, with 12 starts, after transferring from Michigan State. In his WKU career, he totaled 71 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions – including a 45-yard pick-six against Marshall to help the Hilltoppers clinch the Conference USA East Division crown in 2021 – and 12 passes defended. He appeared in all 13 games with nine starts in 2023, and the cornerback tallied 28 tackles, with 19 solo tackles, an interception, and two pass breakups on the season.
Takulve Williams appeared in nine games with six starts in his lone season with the Hilltoppers. He recorded 42 tackles in those nine games, including 2.5 tackles for loss.
Weber appeared in 22 games over two seasons with the Hilltoppers after transferring from Wyoming. In that time, the defensive back recorded 46 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 11 passes defended. Weber appeared in 11 games with six starts during his second and final season with the Hilltoppers. He had 25 tackles, with 1.5 tackles for loss, and seven pass breakups.
Davis started each of WKU's 13 games at nose tackle during his lone season with the program. He recorded 32 tackles – 16 solo and 16 assist – with 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.
Cooper played in 39 games over three seasons with the Hilltoppers and started 12 games. He recorded 60 tackles during that time frame, with 43 solo tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, two passes defended, and a forced fumble. He appeared in all 13 games for the Hilltoppers with 11 starts in 2023, totaling 39 tackles, with 25 solo stops, three tackles for loss, and a sack. Cooper also had three quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
Black participated in four games in his lone season with the Hilltoppers, primarily in a special teams role. The four appearances came over WKU's final six games, including the Famous Toastery Bowl victory. Black started the season on the defensive line before shifting to the offensive line late in the season.
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