Rutgers pro day took place on Tuesday, March 21st, and the Scarlet Knights showed up. The pro day this year was important with 14 participants, and only one of them was invited to the 2023 NFL combine. Here is a look at the important players that stood out during the Rutgers pro day.
2023 Rutgers Pro Day
Adam Korsak
Adam Korsak, a punter, was the only Scarlet Knight to represent during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. That did not stop him from showing up during the school’s pro day. What makes Korsak special is the different ways that he punts. The Scarlet Knight is originally from Australia and practices the Aussie style of kicking. It was not until the Senior Bowl that Korsak began to practice punting in the pro style. The biggest difference between the types is where the punter drops the ball. Korsak was sure to show off both styles during Rutgers pro day.
Rutgers punter Adam Korsak – Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media
The NFL is no stranger to having Australian punters. The San Francisco 49ers punter, Mitch Wshnowsky is also Australian. The Seattle Seahawks punter, Michael Dickson is as well. Korsak was sure to participate in as many events as he was invited to and should be picked up during the 2023 NFL draft. Korsak is the only Scarlet Knight projected to be drafted, though today could have changed that.
Christian Izien
Another player to show off was safety Christian Izien. Izien was a solid player for the Scarlet Knights during the 2022 season. The safety recorded 1.5 sacks and five pass deflections in 2022, according to ESPN. While Izien was not invited to the combine, he took advantage of the university’s pro day.
Rutgers DB Christian Izien – Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Izien did participate in each measurement, and that could have been a great decision. Izien is just a little bit over five feet eight inches tall, but his verticle jump measured 41.5 inches. For the safety position in the NFL, the verticle jump matters. His 40 times were 4.41 and 4.42. He also had 20 bench reps, just to add to his Rutgers pro day highlights. While he may not physically be the biggest player, his measurements could help boost the safety to be either drafted late or picked up quickly as an undrafted free agent.
Christian Braswell
While Korsak and Izien were the top two Scarlet Knights during the pro day, 12 other participants worked hard to get there. Christian Braswell, another defensive back, had a slow 40 time on the second try but measured decently elsewhere. His first 40 time was 4.53, better than the second 5.52. Similarly to Izien, the verticle jump may be what helps. Braswell measured 40 inches on the jump. The full list of measurements can be found here on Twitter, posted by Rutgers Rivals.
Aron Cruickshank
Wide receiver Aron Cruickshank did well during the pro day. His verticle was just 37 inches, but his 40s were timed at 4.57 and 4.52 on the second. Cruickshank may have had a decent enough chance to improve his draft stock without being invited to the NFL Combine this year. 2022 was a difficult season for the Scarlet Knights’ offense rotating between three quarterbacks, but Cruickshank still managed to stand out.
Rutgers wide receiver Aron Cruickshank – Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports
Parker Day
The final player to highlight is Rutgers running back Parker Day also had a decent Rutgers pro day. The running back’s 40 times may hold him back, measuring at 4.68 on the first one, and 4.69 on the second. While these are not bad times, for a running back, NFL scouts will be looking for something faster. Day played in just two games this season, and will most likely have to wait to be an undrafted free agent, but hopefully, his participation at Rutgers pro day helped him out.
Even though not all 14 participants were mentioned, each player demonstrated what they could do during their pro day. Rutgers football has struggled for many years, but this past year the Kansas City Chiefs running, Isiah Pacheco made people talk about the Scarlet Knights once again. It was at Rutgers pro day that Pacheco made teams take notice of him. That could potentially have happened once again this year.
