BROOKINGS — South Dakota State held its annual Pro Day on Wednesday morning and 10 different Jackrabbits worked out in front of NFL and CFL scouts to put their finishing stamp on their evaluation process ahead of next month’s NFL Draft.

For some, the past couple of months have been filled with a trip to the scouting combine or a spot in a prime showcase such as the Reese’s Senior Bowl. But for Isaiah Stalbird, the path has been forged through hard work in an attempt to grab the attention of the decision-makers at the next level.

“It’s definitely stressful,” Stalbird said of the draft process. “But you just got to take it day-by-day and really enjoy what you’re doing and see the end goal because at the end of the day, all we can ask for is an opportunity. It’s a blessing to be here today and even have the opportunity to compete.”

Stalbird made his case with an excellent workout on Wednesday. After posting a 37.5-inch vertical jump, Stalbird showed his explosiveness with a 127” broad jump and flirted with a 4.40-second time in both attempts in the 40-yard dash.

While Stalbird said he posted some better numbers during the training process, he was pleased with how the workout turned out.

“I can’t change anything about it,” Stalbird said. “I’m just happy with the result but I feel like the overall process leading up to today was very smooth and it was super fun to be back here with my boys again one more team and seeing them all compete. It’s been a fun process, so I really can’t complain.”

Wednesday was an important point in Stalbird’s draft process but he also feels like most of the work had been done throughout his career.
Spending time at safety and linebacker, Stalbird became a key component in SDSU’s defense and was a part of back-to-back national championship teams. But as the draft process began, questions arose due to his lack of position and his size at 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds.

“I wasn’t always the biggest, fastest [or] strongest,” Stalbird said. “But I feel like that’s a testament to the guys in our class as well. Not everyone was like that. These guys who are seniors that competed today and even the ones that didn’t compete today, we’ve all grinded to be where we’re at.”

Stalbird also believed that his performance on the field and what shows on the tape were just as important as anything he could have done in his workouts.

“I think for all of the scouts to go and watch the film, they’ve heard our name at some of the bowl games and you’ll click on the film and it doesn’t lie,” Stalbird said. “We can all come out here and run amazing numbers and do this but if you click on the film and you’re not a dawg or a guy that doesn’t show potential, it’s kind of 50/50 for you. So you want to be able to make sure both translate.”

Stalbird had an impressive performance at this year’s Hula Bowl on Jan. 13 in Orlando, recording five tackles and a fumble recovery, but he wasn’t invited to this year’s scouting combine in Indianapolis.

While he admitted the lack of an invite was disappointing, he also knew he had an opportunity to showcase his skills at his Pro Day. While he prepared, the performance of his teammates such as Isaiah Davis, Mason McCormick and Garret Greenfield in Indianapolis and the presence of some of his teammates such as Jaxon Janke, Jadon Janke, DyShawn Gales, John O’Brian, Zach Heins and Jason Freeman in the same position helped bring confidence and put him in the right mindset ahead of Wednesday’s workout.

“Just seeing all of the guys leave from where I was and they go off and do this…that’s just a testament to the facility,” It honestly felt like being here was like a big family and we have a lot of really good guys. We don’t have any egos or anything like that. We’re all coming in to work with a chip on our shoulder. We have something to prove.”

But just as much as Stalbird’s teammates and his dreams of playing at the next level have inspired him, so has his family including his son, who will turn two years old in June.

“I feel like I was already motivated to be able to provide for my family, but now as someone who depends on me every day and hopefully being able to change his life if this opportunity does come,” Stalbird said. “Whatever happens…I’ll be happy because I know I put my all into it and I’ll be at peace with it.”

Stalbird says he’s willing to play wherever he’s needed at the next level just to get an opportunity. While he plans on having a couple of down days after the pro day, he intends to ramp back up in the coming days and continue to work hard as he prepares for the next step.

“I just want to play football at the end of the day,” Stalbird said. “Whatever I have got to do to get that opportunity, I’m going to do it. Just try and seize the moment.”