Canadian receiver Nick Mardner impressed scouts from both sides of the border at Auburn University’s recent pro day, displaying a rare combination of size and speed.
The native of Oakville, Ont. measured in at six-foot-six and 208 pounds, making him one of the tallest receivers available in this year’s NFL and CFL drafts. He ran a 4.46-second forty-yard dash, 4.28-second short shuttle, and 7.16-second three-cone drill.
These hand-timed figures were provided by a source who was in attendance at the event. It should be noted that the unofficial results posted on Auburn’s website listed his forty-yard dash as 4.52 seconds.
Mardner also recorded 11 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, a 35-inch vertical, and a 129-inch broad jump.
The big-bodied receiver had his best collegiate season at the University of Hawai’i in 2021, making 46 catches for 913 yards and five touchdowns to be named All-Mountain West honourable mention. He transferred to the University of Cincinnati the following year and filled a depth role, making 19 receptions for 218 yards and three touchdowns.
Mardner completed his collegiate career at Auburn but dressed for only four games due to injury and didn’t record any statistics. In total, he caught 81 passes for 1,488 yards and 11 touchdowns at the collegiate level.
The well-traveled target is the No. 11-ranked prospect on the latest CFL scouting bureau rankings and the top-ranked receiver. He went first overall to the Edmonton Elks in 3DownNation‘s first 2024 CFL Mock Draft.
