BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football hosted its annual Pro Day on Tuesday at the Harold and Juanita Koon Football Complex, the Tim and Sarah Ford Fieldhouse and Houchens-Smith Stadium.
The Hilltoppers were represented at the event by 25 players.
Participating in the event for WKU were linebacker Anthony Brackenridge, kicker John Cannon, defensive back Avarion Cole, defensive back Jalen Emery, tight end Elvin Fofanah, defensive lineman Jayden Gray, running back George Hart III, wide receiver Matthew Henry, offensive lineman Marshall Jackson, offensive lineman Quincy Jenkins, defensive back Jaavan Mack, wide receiver Jairus Mack, defensive lineman Mackavelli Malotumau, punter Cole Maynard, quarterback Maverick McIvor, outside linebacker Dominic Oliver, long snapper Rex Robich, defensive back Kent Robinson, defensive lineman Rylen Su'a-Filo, wide receiver Jaleel Walker, tight end Jackson West, linebacker Jaylen Wester, defensive back Demarko Williams, wide receiver Kelby Williams and tight end Justin Wolf.
Information on WKU's 2026 Pro Day participants can be found in the 2026 WKU Football Pro Day Guide HERE.
The Hilltoppers are coming off a 9-4 season in 2025. The season was capped off with a 27-16 victory over Southern Miss in the 2025 New Orleans Bowl at Caesers Superdome – WKU's eighth bowl win in the last 12 years and the fifth in seven seasons under Head Coach Tyson Helton. Only Georgia and Minnesota have more bowl wins than WKU during the College Football Playoff Era, and WKU's eight bowl wins during that period are tied for third-most nationally with Alabama, Ohio State and Wisconsin during that period.
WKU's Pro Day drew a crowd of personnel from 10 NFL teams. There were 16 former Hilltoppers on NFL rosters at the start of last season, including Upton Stout, who participated in WKU's 2025 Pro Day, and several others who have also participated in WKU Pro Days in recent years. WKU is the only non-Power Conference program to have a player selected within the first three rounds in each of the last four NFL Drafts.
The event began inside the Harold and Juanita Koon Football Complex with measurements and testing in the weight room, before moving into the Tim and Sarah Ford Fieldhouse for the 40-yard dash, broad jump, shuttles, three-cone drill and position-specific workouts. The event concluded with Maynard – who was named a consensus All-American punter and was invited to the NFL Specialist Showcase at the NFL Combine – working out for scouts at Houchens-Smith Stadium.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
PARTICIPANT QUOTES
"It went really good. I ran the times I needed to run. I think I threw it very good. For what it is worth, no incompletions. I hit all the landmarks I wanted to hit, so I feel good about the day." – WKU Football quarterback Maverick McIvor.
"I feel like it went amazing, man. The fact that I was able to make it here and ball out with my boys is truly amazing. Jesus blessed us with an amazing day and I couldn't be any prouder or happier, not just for me, but for all the guys that hooped out here with us. … We all had a great day, a great showing, and nobody should hang their head today. We trained for this, we prayed for this, and the fact that we were able to complete it, it was just amazing." – WKU Football running back George Hart III.
"My experience was great. Just knowing the hard work from January all the way up to Pro Day, it just went well and stuff. It was great to see what my numbers were and to see what the scouts said." – WKU Football wide receiver Matthew Henry.
"I just feel blessed. Preparation means opportunity, and I feel like I made the most out of my opportunity." – WKU Football linebacker Anthony Brackenridge.
"Mentally – that was the first thing. Mentally being there, and then letting my work show. This is not just the first time I've stepped on the football field. I've been doing this since I was a kid. The main thing in my process today was, OK, mentally be focused. Let my mental be focused and from here on out, everything is going to show because it's second nature – the field work is second nature, I've been playing football. The main thing for me was making sure my mental was straight and have fun." – WKU Football linebacker Jaylen Wester.
"I feel like I did good. I showed a good upside. I'd like to be a little more consistent. I'd like to get my misses a little better. But I think it was overall a good day. I showed good potential and I'm grateful for the opportunity." – WKU Football punter Cole Maynard.
WKU Football is scheduled to start spring practices on Tuesday, March 10. The Hilltoppers will host the 2026 Red & White Spring Showcase, presented by SA Recycling, at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, April 11, at noon. The event will be free for fans to attend. More information on the 2026 Red & White Spring Showcase is available HERE.
The Hilltoppers are scheduled to open the 2026 season at Nevada on Saturday, Sept. 5. The full 2026 schedule will be released at a later date.
WKU Football 2026 season tickets are on sale now! Season tickets start as low as $50, and there are several options for different season ticket levels. For more information or to purchase 2026 WKU Football season tickets, click HERE. Are you interested in purchasing 2026 WKU Football tickets but don't know where to start? Fill out this form and a member of the WKU Ticket Office will be in touch soon! All season tickets require an HAF donation.
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