Cowboys linebacker Chad Muma turns heads at Wyoming Pro Day
Mar 30, 2022, 11:09 AM
I traveled to Laramie once again for the University of Wyoming Pro Day. At this event over the years, I’ve been able to see guys like Josh Allen or Logan Wilson perform in front of scouts before they started – and starred – on Sundays in the NFL.
This year, linebacker Chad Muma was the star attraction in Laramie. The Colorado product was overlooked by in-state colleges, but the Cowboys were happy to get him up North. Muma is built like Wilson – a third-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft. In only two seasons, Wilson has become a star in the NFL playing at a Pro Bowl level. The hope is that Muma will follow in his tracks.
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Sound Mind
Muma can play any song on the piano by ear. That was the most interesting off-field information I learned about Muma up in Laramie, but it also highlights one of his strengths on the field – intelligence. Muma is a high-intelligence player who is always around the ball because he’s ahead of the play.
Chad Muma ladies and gentlemen. One of his teammates proclaimed "he's a freak!" after this rep. #NFLDraft @1043TheFan pic.twitter.com/iPl1msb7l9
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) March 29, 2022
His diagnostic skills make him a great linebacker. As the play breaks down in front of him, Muma stays away from blockers and understands the rushing angles – and his angle of pursuit. He does this naturally and instinctively on the field. From the scouts I talk to, Muma is described as the type of guy who you want to build a defense around.
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He’s a Freak
It’s an affectionate nickname when current and former teammates call Muma a freak. Muma rested on his numbers from the Scouting Combine, but he did participate in the 20-yard shuttle and the three-cone drill. I know they’re just drills, but these are two of the more important drills during pro days because they show off a player’s athletic ability and change-of-direction skills. As Muma was going through his shuttle, one of his current teammates at Wyoming proclaimed, “He’s a freak!”
When I talked to former Wyoming Cowboys, and current Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson – there to support Muma – I asked him if Muma was indeed a freak.
"That's how I've always described him."
That's what Logan Wilson told me when I asked him about Chad Muma being a freak athlete. #NFL #NFLDraft @1043TheFan— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) March 29, 2022
That freakish athleticism, combined with his intelligence and tackling ability, has made Muma a favorite in the scouting community.
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No More Mistakes
The Cowboys are no longer an afterthought in the NFL. In fact, they had over 15 players on active rosters or practice squads last season with eight of those players in starting roles. Wyoming also has superstars at their positions like quarterback Josh Allen. Needless to say, Wyoming has gone from having hidden gems to just gems.
👀@wyo_football. LB Chad Muma unofficial 6.75 Three-Cone Drill Time.
Improvement from 7.06 Drill at Combine.
Exceptionally fast, explosive, and amazing change of direction.
Larger crowd than #Bengals LB Logan Wilson’s Pro Day as 21 #NFL Teams are in Wyoming. @MileHighHuddle. pic.twitter.com/mdFbYt3MAP
— Luke Patterson (@LukePattersonLP) March 29, 2022
The scouts I talk to agree that it was a mistake to let Wilson fall to the third round in 2020. That’s not going to happen with Muma. In fact, I’m not sure if Muma will be on the board when the Broncos first pick at No. 64 overall. There will be no more mistakes when it comes to finding Wyoming players in the NFL. This is a team who has caught the eye of the NFL scouting community, thanks to the quality players the Cowboys have had on their roster over the past several seasons.
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