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During the offensive line portion of the NFL Scouting Combine, Savaiinaea finished as one of the top performers.

Savaiinaea unofficially recorded the third-fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.95 seconds. Savaiinaea finished behind Georgia center Jared Wilson (4.84) and Missouri tackle Armand Membou (4.91). Savaiinaea tied for the second-best 10-yard split time at 1.72 seconds. Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr.’s 10-yard split was 1.71 seconds.

Savaiinaea was one of five offensive linemen to record a sub-five-second 40-yard dash this year.

Former ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV offensive tackle Jordan Morgan, who was selected by the Green Bay Packers at No. 25 in the NFL Draft last year, ran the 40-yard dash in 5.04 seconds in 2024. Morgan’s 10-yard split was 1.70 seconds.

Savaiinaea, who is a projected late first-round or early second-round pick, recently recovered from a leg injury he suffered in Arizona’s road finale against TCU in November, which sidelined the three-year starter for the final game of the season against Arizona State — the first game Savaiinaea missed at the UA; he played the previous 36.

Savaiinaea measured at 6-4, 324 pounds with an arm length of 33 ⅞� at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Savaiinaea told reporters he’s had contact with 17 teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders, which recently hired former UA offensive line coach Brennan Carroll, who recruited Savaiinaea to Arizona.

Savaiinaea said the offensive linemen he studies are Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell, San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams and former NFL guard Mike Iupati.

The hybrid Savaiinaea is projected to play guard in the NFL, but he also has experience at both tackle spots. In three seasons at Arizona, Savaiinaea played 2,418 snaps — including 1,057 at right tackle, 985 at right guard and 345 at left tackle, according to Pro Football Focus. Savaiinaea allowed eight sacks and five quarterback hits in three seasons, per PFF.

When Savaiinaea was asked about playing guard or tackle, he said, “I’m comfortable with whatever.�

Tackle or right guard, Savaiinaea vows to “bring that mauler mentality� to the NFL, he said.

“I’m bringing a winning mindset,� said Savaiinaea. “I’m not coming in as a rookie that’s just putting on a jersey. I’m going to bring that winning mindset and let the veterans know that they can count on me if they put me in the game.�

Kicker Tyler Loop shines

Former Arizona kicker Tyler Loop put on a clinic during the field goal portion of the NFL Scouting Combine.

Loop made 13 of 14 field goals (93.3%) and tied Florida State’s Ryan Fitzgerald for the second-best field-goal rate; both made 60-yard field goals to end the competition. Lenny Krieg from Germany made all 14 of his attempts.

Loop’s performance at the NFL Scouting Combine certainly helps his chances of becoming the first UA kicker selected in the NFL Draft since Nick Folk in 2007. In five years at Arizona, Loop has an 83.8% field-goal rate, which currently ranks 39th in college football history; it’s also the best mark in Arizona history. Loop’s 327 points are third in school history behind Max Zendejas (360) and Art Luppino (337).

Loop was 6 for 9 in field goals of at least 50 yards in 2024, which includes a program-record 62-yard field goal. Loop owns the UA single-game school record with five field goals against Texas Tech. In his last two seasons at Arizona, Loop had 126 touchbacks in 140 attempts (90%).

Loop was one of six kickers invited to the NFL Scouting Combine this week in Indianapolis.

‘This week has been a lot of fun’ for Ransom

Tucson native and former Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom didn’t participate in the 40-yard dash, but he did the “gauntlet� drill and met with several teams.

“This week has been a lot of fun,� Ransom told reporters in Indianapolis. “I got to talk to a lot of teams and show them my personality, show them what they’d be getting, if they took a chance on me. I want to show them that I’m a competitor. … This is what I dreamed about since I was a little kid, so I’m just excited and blessed to be here.�

The 6-foot, 206-pound physical Ransom was an All-Big Ten selection and had a career-high 75 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception en route to a national championship in his final season at Ohio State.

Ransom is a projected Day 2 (rounds 2-3) or Day 3 (rounds 4-7) prospect. Ransom will likely extend the streak of Tucsonans drafted to the NFL. Last season, Marana product and offensive lineman Jordan Morgan was drafted 25th overall to the Green Bay Packers last year. Atlanta Falcons star running back Bijan Robinson, Ransom’s teammate at Salpointe Catholic, was drafted eighth overall in 2023.

“I can’t wait to either play with Bijan or play against Bijan,� Ransom said. “That’s someone I’ve been playing against and with since I was a little kid. To be two dudes coming out of Tucson in the NFL, you can’t ask for a better story. I’m excited to have that opportunity.�

Extra points

— Former Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who opted out of drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, officially measured at 6-4, 219 pounds. McMillan also has 10-inch hands. Both Savaiinaea and McMillan are scheduled to perform at Big 12 Pro Day in Dallas from March 18-21.

— Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston ran the fastest 40-yard dash time this year, clocking in at 4.28 seconds. Hairston edged Texas receiver Matthew Golden, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds.

— Arizona head coach Brent Brennan, wide receivers coach Bobby Wade and general manager Gaizka Crowley attended the NFL Scouting Combine.