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Translation for “old days�: this past football season.

Fourteen ex-Wildcats performed a series of individual workouts and NFL Scouting Combine-inspired drills at Arizona’s Pro Day on Thursday in front of representatives from 31 NFL teams and two Canadian Football League Teams in the Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders; the only NFL team not in attendance was the Los Angeles Rams.

For the first time in a handful of years, Arizona held a Pro Day where more than one or two players are expected to hear their name called at the NFL Draft in Detroit.

“It was fun to be out there on the field again with my brothers, to go out there and show our athleticism,� Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan said. “One last time together on the field was awesome for all of us.

“It was nice to be back home and be with the guys that I love.�

McLachlan, Arizona star left tackle Jordan Morgan, who is a projected first-round pick, running back Michael Wiley, wide receiver Jacob Cowing, defensive end Taylor Upshaw, running back DJ Williams, quarterback Jayden de Laura and defensive back Martell Irby, among others, displayed their athleticism in front of several pro football scouts and coaches, and their loudest supporters were their former teammates and current Wildcats.

UA standout wide receiver and potential 2025 NFL Draft first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, offensive linemen Jonah Savaiinaea (another possible first-rounder) and Wendell Moe, defensive tackle Bill Norton, running back Rayshon Luke, safeties Gunner Maldonado and Dalton Johnson, nickel back Treydan Stukes, cornerback Tacario Davis and linebacker Justin Flowe were among the current Arizona players in attendance to watch their former teammates run through drills Thursday.

After Wiley, who also participated in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis earlier this month, finished his final attempt in the broad jump (measurements and 40-yard dash times were not disclosed), a dozen of his UA teammates chirped “Mike! Mike! Mike!� in the same tone as the seagulls in Finding Nemo. Morgan had the most bench-press reps on Thursday with 27.

“You could hear them after the 40, they would try to tell you what time it is. It’s a culture that we built here, so they’re bonded to our future, our career,� Irby said. “It was a cool deal having our brothers out there with us.�

McLachlan’s goal for Pro Day was “no drops on the field� during pass-catching drills, which also included de Laura throwing passes, to exhibit “route-running and catching ability.�

“I think that’s one of the strong suits in my game,� McLachlan said. “To go out there again, to be comfortable with de Laura throwing it to us was great. Just show them what I can do.�

Added McLachlan: “I wanted to show them that I have sure hands, and I believe I did that. I think I showed them my athleticism in the passing game. If someone ends up drafting me, that’s the reason they’re going to do it. I think I have sure hands and I know I’m confident in my hands. I think I showed them what I can do on the field.�

McLachlan was the only Wildcat who participated in both Arizona’s Pro Day and the NFL Scouting Combine that opted to speak with media on Thursday.

In comparison to the week-long and mentally draining process at the combine, Arizona’s Pro Day was a watered down version of what McLachlan, Morgan, Cowing and Wiley experienced in Indianapolis.

Not every player gets invited to the NFL’s combine. For 11 of the 14 Pro Day participants, this was their only chance to work out in front of NFL coaches and scouts. How often does a football player get a chance to make an impression on essentially the entire NFL?

“I think today went amazing,� Irby said.

At this time last year, Irby joined Arizona as a walk-on defensive back after stepping away from football following four seasons at UCLA to focus on mental health. He didn’t play football for a year and was out of shape, but found the love for the game again. To help pay his monthly expenses, Irby picked up a job as a security officer and freelance photographer before he was placed on a full-ride scholarship and was also named team captain for the 2023 season.

“For lack of better words, it’s been a hell of a year,� Irby said. “To be able to go out there with my teammates — and just enjoy it, go out there and do our thing and embrace the moment inside this stadium. We had a ball.

“It’s really hard to put into words. I’ve been so focused on one day at a time. To be able to look up now and we’re done with Pro Day, given last year and the position I was in, it’s been a hell of a year.�

Irby’s willingness to play any position on the field could garner attention for the 5-9, 200-pound defensive back from San Diego, who grew up a Chargers fan. Irby was a running back and defensive back at UCLA, then became a nickel back and linebacker for the Wildcats, logging 32 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception.

“I will play any position on the field. I will play running back, slot (receiver), I would play quarterback if I could throw,� Irby said. “This season, being able to play linebacker, box safety, free safety, the four core of special teams. I want to be able to bring the same thing to the next level for whoever wants to give me an opportunity.�

Not everyone will get the draft-day phone call or even receive a rookie mini-camp invitation, but the uber-zen Irby tries “not to think too far in the future.� He stays in the moment.

“I control what I can control. I don’t know what’s coming next,� he said. “I feel like I did all I could’ve done, whether it’s as a teammate, a friend, as a captain and a young man, being the young man that God is calling me to be. I’m just taking it one day at a time. I feel like I set myself up well, though.

“Any league, it doesn’t matter,� he added. “I just want to lace them up again. I’m not too concerned with that. I just feel like God is not done yet. I got a lot to give, a lot left in the tank.�

Extra points

Arizona head coach Brent Brennan and several other UA coaches, including Chuck Cecil and Duane Akina, were on the sidelines for Pro Day.

Arizona defensive tackle Sio Nofoagatoto’a was the only scheduled player who didn’t participate in Pro Day on Thursday. He was out for undisclosed reasons.

Former Arizona wide receivers coach Tony Dews, who’s now the running backs coach for the New York Jets, was among the coaches in attendance for Pro Day. Dews orchestrated a pass-catching drill for Wiley and Williams towards the end of Pro Day. Dews was Arizona’s receivers coach under Rich Rodriguez from 2012-16.

Tucson native and former Arizona wide receiver Stanley Berryhill was at Arizona Stadium for Pro Day. He recently signed with the BC Lions of the CFL.