Former UMass Players Take Field At 2025 Pro Day
Wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James stole the show with impressive showing
AMHERST, Mass. - On Wednesday, 22 former Minutemen players participated in the 2024 Pro Day event at the bubble. Scouts from the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets and Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) were all in attendance.
Of all the performers, wide receiver Jakobie Keeney–James had the most impressive showing. The 6-foot-1, 197-pounder senior recorded a 4.37 time in the 40-yard dash and 40-inch vertical jump. He also recorded 17 repetitions for the bench press.
“That was that was my goal, hitting that 4.3, and then I hit the 40 on the vertical jump,” said Keeney-James. “I damn near busted my chest to match 17 reps. So definitely excited about that, and I was able to execute every goal that I set out to reach.”
Keeney-James finished his final season with the Minutemen, recording 50 receptions for 839 yards and six touchdowns. His speed, quickness and route running were on full display, raising eyebrows from scouts.
Family and hard work drive the young wide receiver.
“I’m competitive, and I give it my everything,” said Keeney-James. “I got two kids and a fiancé. I’m a family man at heart. I wake up, go to work, and I’m all about winning. I’m a guy that’s gonna show up every single day and be the first one here.”
Julio Jones and Larry Fitzgerald are two wide receivers Keeney-James looks up to and models his game after.
“They were able to do it all,” said Keeney-James. “Those are two guys I really try to emulate and replicate my game after, especially Julio. The way he played the game was generational. I always try to find my inner Julio.”
Keeney-James said he’s talked to the Niners, Chiefs, Ravens and Chargers.
On the other side of the ball, defensive back Te’Rai Powell highlighted his versatility playing the position.
“I can play free safety, strong safety and nickel,” said Powell. “I can guard the slot and tackle open space. Just doing that shows my versatility.”
Powell said his biggest strengths are tackling and playing man-to-man coverage, while acknowledging that he can still improve in those areas.
“I can work on anything, everything,” he said. “The job is not finished as you can always get better.”
The Niners and Packers met with Powell, giving him positive feedback.
“I just received good feedback, however, I’m a hard critic,” said Powell. “I feel like I could’ve done better in certain drills, but overall, I think I did pretty good.”
Cornerback Tyler Rudolph also had a solid performance.
“I hit a lot of PRs today with my broad jump and vertical jump,” said Rudolph.
Rudolph credits his faith for allowing him to compete in front of NFL scouts.
“Just letting God handle it all,” he said. “If you put the work in, God can handle the rest from here on out.”
The Commanders and Ravens are two teams that Rudolph has met with.
Rudolph’s favorite moment in his collegiate career was the Minutemen’s 41-30 win over New Mexico State on Aug. 26, 2023.
“It was a tough environment being down in that heat and having a great time with the guys after the win,” said Rudolph, who recorded a sack in that outing.
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