Can Mason Reiger Go Higher? Pro Day Preview & What Scouts Are Watching
After a elite 9.53 RAS in Indy, Reiger looks to lock in his Day 2 status at home. Plus, updates on Vinny Anthony II, Nyzier Fourqurean, and more.
The NFL draft spotlight moves from the turf of Lucas Oil Stadium back to the McClain Center this Friday. After recording an elite 9.53 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) at the NFL Combine, Wisconsin football player Mason Reiger has officially shifted from an intriguing prospect to a legitimate one on draft boards.
For context, that 9.53 score places him in the top 5% of all defensive ends tested since 1987. He didn’t just participate; he made a statement.
In today’s NFL, where edge is a premium position and teams can never have enough depth, Reiger may have pushed himself up some teams’ draft boards.
The only thing holding him back is his medical evaluations. His injury history could be a red flag for the team heading into the draft.
The Indy Recap: The Numbers Don’t Lie
While Mason Reiger’s 4.78 official 40-yard dash was solid, the “hidden” numbers inside that run are what have NFL front offices scrambling to re-watch his Wisconsin tape.
The 1.61-Second 10-Yard Split: This is the most predictive stat for NFL pass-rushing success. It measures the “get-off”—how fast a defender explodes from a three-point stance to the neutral zone. Reiger’s 1.61 isn’t just “good”; it’s elite. It is identical to Will Anderson Jr. (2023) and actually faster than Aidan Hutchinson (1.62 in 2022).
The T.J. Watt Connection: Badger fans will find this familiar: Reiger’s 1.61 split perfectly matches the time T.J. Watt posted in 2017. When you combine that burst with a 40-inch vertical jump (T-2nd among all DL/EDGE prospects), Reiger isn’t just looking at an athlete; he’s a tier-1 outlier.
Next Gen “Closing Speed”: In the pass-rush drills, Reiger clocked a top-end speed of 13.79 mph while rounding the corner. This ranked 4th among all defensive linemen in the 2026 class. This metric proves that his burst isn’t just straight-line; he maintains that velocity while “bending” toward the quarterback, a trait that is nearly impossible to coach.
What to Watch for This Friday
Friday’s Pro Day isn’t about running another 40; it’s about answering the final three “check-box” questions for NFL scouts:
The Bench Press: After opting out in Indy, Reiger needs to show that his 6’5”, 251-lb frame has the “man strength” to anchor against NFL tackles. A mid-20s rep count would silence any concerns about his slender build and prove he can hold the edge in the run game.
Lateral Agility (The 3-Cone Drill): This is the “money drill” for edge rushers. Scouts want to see Reiger’s “bend”—his ability to dip his shoulder and turn the corner at high speeds. If he clocks a sub-7.00 second 3-cone, his stock might enter Day 2 territory if his medical evaluations come back clean.
The Supporting Cast: Who Else is Working Out?
While Reiger is the headliner, several other Badgers are looking to solidify their pro futures on Friday, including:
Vinny Anthony II (WR): A deep-threat specialist. After a strong junior year, Anthony wants to show he has the refined route-running tree to match his world-class speed. Anthony was the only other Wisconsin football player besides Reiger to earn an invitation to the NFL Combine. Anthony tested relatively well, except for his 40-yard dash, which was slower than expected. He’ll get a second chance on Friday to run again in front of scouts to improve that number.
Riley Mahlman (OT): At 6’8”, the physical tools are undeniable. Friday is about showing “active feet” and the lateral mobility required to pass-protect against NFL speed-rushers. Mahlman showed his versatility during his senior season, switching from right tackle to left tackle and performing well after taking a game to settle in.
Nyzier Fourqurean (CB): After being the victim of the slow-moving court system, Fourqurean missed his entire last season fighting for eligibility after initially planning to enter the NFL Draft last season. A physical press-man specialist. The former Grand Valley State transfer has the frame (6’1”) that NFL teams crave on the boundary. Friday is his chance to answer questions about his top-end recovery speed and show he can mirror elite receivers through the entire route stem.
Austin Brown (S): The “Swiss Army Knife” of the secondary. Known as a violent hitter with a high football IQ, Brown needs to showcase his range in deep-zone drills. Brown played in the Shrine Bowl with Reiger but did not receive an invite to the NFL Combine.
Ricardo Hallman (CB): Hallman didn’t perform as well as Wisconsin fans had hoped during his senior season. He wasn’t the shutdown corner many had hoped he would be. He battled injuries early in the season, and being an undersized cornerback will be an obstacle for him during the draft process.
Darryl Peterson (OLB): The veteran EDGE really came on in the second-half of the season. The veteran Badger didn’t receive an invitation to any postseason all-star games like the Shrine Bowl or Senior Bowl, but a solid performance at the Wisconsin pro day could land him a UDFA deal.
The Badger Backer Take
Mason Reiger has nothing left to prove athletically, but a clean pro day confirms the “eye test.” The narrative has shifted from “can he get drafted?” to “how high can he go?”
If he matches his Combine explosiveness with technical refinement in position drills, don’t be surprised if he becomes the first Badger off the board this April.
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