At Utah’s pro day, Miles Battle and Devaughn Vele try to raise their stock: ‘I know I am under the radar’

Nearly a year ago, Miles Battle walked into Utah’s indoor practice facility on pro day and imagined what it’d feel like inside the ropes.

As he watched Utah’s All-American corner Clark Phillips III go through the motions, Battle thought about how he’d present himself to scouts when his time came. After all, he transferred from Ole Miss to Utah last winter to raise his draft stock as a fifth-year season.

Back then, the cornerback thought pro day would be the final step to lock up his draft status.

But Battle’s last year hasn’t exactly gone to plan. He played in 13 games and his stats dropped off. He had 32 total tackles and one interception. As the NFL combine invites came around, he was left off the list.

So when his pro day finally came, he was just hoping to get on somebody’s draft radar.

He thought he did enough Thursday morning.

“Starting to get a lot more traction,” a hopeful Battle said. “Setting up meetings. Going to be a great opportunity.”

Battle ran an unofficial 40-yard dash. He went through drills with scouts, showcasing his ball skills.

Perhaps more importantly, he defended his track record. He thought Pac-12 offenses didn’t go after him much. That would explain the drop off in production.

“Hopefully [scouts] did look that deep into [the film] and notice I wasn’t getting that many balls this year,” Battle said. “Some of the stat lines weren’t that shocking. But I did get a pick and a couple [pass breakups].”

As for which teams will be interested, he isn’t sure. He felt like Utah’s system translated to the NFL with its heavy man coverage use. He billed himself to scouts as a corner who could play press man. Now, it is a waiting game

“My ball skills and, as I showed today, my speed,” Battle said of his pitch to scouts. “I think playing press man is going to be special for me.”

Vaki runs while others sit

The only top prospect from Utah to participate in pro day was Sione Vaki. The two-way star ran the 40-yard dash and did both offensive and defensive drills.

His 40 time at the combine was the third-slowest among safeties. He ran it again on Thursday to improve his stock.

Cole Bishop and Jonah Elliss, Utah’s other top prospects, did not participate.

Devaughn Vele hopes

Vele was another Utah senior who hoped returning to school would raise his draft stock. Utah, on paper, had the offensive weapons to make Vele’s production increase.

But quarterback Cam Rising ended up missing the entire season and the offensive passing efficiency was among the worst in the Power Five.

Vele saw his receptions and yards drop off from 2022 to 2023. Now, he is on the outside looking in when it comes to the NFL.

“I understand what was going on with the quarterback situation,” Vele said. “Having to have a vanilla offense this past season. But I tried my best to showcase what I could do. Not only that, but help the team where I could. Even if it was in run blocking or catching one pass a game.”

Vele finished with under 600 yards receiving last year and three touchdowns.

He is hoping his long frame, at 6-foot-5, will give him a chance. His ability to play special teams could factor in too.

“That is going to be my biggest foot in the door in the league right now,” he said. “... Just trying to prove a lot of people wrong. I know I am under the radar. So just trying to open up some eyes.”

Concerns remain around Vele’s speed. He clocked in at 4.47 at the combine. That was average for a receiver.

He chose not to run at Utah’s pro day.

“With how big I am as a receiver, I wanted to show I could still move well for my height and my weight,” Vele said. “...I didn’t get a ton of opportunities to run after the catch [in college]. I did have a couple. Got caught on a couple. I did want to just show speed overall [before the draft]. And I felt like the combine was the best opportunity to showcase that on a national stage. I ran a great time and I am confident where I am at right now.”