Big 12, NFL Partner to Launch Big 12 Pro Day in 2024
The Big 12 Conference and NFL have partnered to bring an entirely different feel to the predraft experience, as they two will launch Big 12 Pro Day in 2024.
According to a release, the Big 12 Pro Day will debut in the spring of 2024 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. This will be the first-ever conference-wide pro day, replacing and advancing traditional on-campus pro days.
The event will showcase Big 12 football talent at a world-class facility, providing maximum exposure for Big 12 student-athletes as they prepare for their professional careers.
The Big 12 Pro Day will offer a job fair and non-football career networking opportunities for players across the Big 12, as well as provide an opportunity for student-athletes to meet with the Big 12 Business Advisory Board, who will lend guidance on topics such as professional development and career growth.
“The first-of-its-kind Big 12 Pro Day will provide our student-athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent and skill as they turn their NFL dreams into reality,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “Through this partnership with the NFL, Big 12 student-athletes will receive national media exposure across NFL Network and NFL Media platforms. We are thrilled to partner with the NFL to host this Pro Day, and we look forward to creating a special experience for our student-athletes.”
“With the creation of a Big 12 Pro Day, our conference and Commissioner Yormark continue to prioritize the enhancement of the student-athlete experience,” said TCU head coach Sonny Dykes. “The Big 12’s partnership with the NFL, its programming through NFL Network and its powerful social media presence will provide an unbelievable amount of exposure for all the participants from each member institution and the conference as a whole. The opportunity to host this event in a first-class facility like The Star at the Dallas Cowboys’ complex is another positive for the student-athletes in preparing them for the next stage of their careers. It is a powerful statement on how the Big 12 is at the forefront of innovation.”
“The Big 12 unified approach will provide world-class maximum exposure, mentorship, and development opportunities for potential future prospects pulling on the vast resources of these Big 12 institutions,” said Troy Vincent, Sr., NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. “From state-of-the-art medical and talent evaluations to maximized media exposure and classroom professional development, these future leaders will experience a dignified, respectful, and comprehensive assessment.”
While the event will be closed to the public, the Big 12 will host Fan Fest outside of the event, which will include fan engagement experiences, “special VIP appearances,” and all of NFL Network’s coverage of the Big 12 Pro Day.
The new and exciting opportunities that the Big 12 is providing have been quite impressive since Brett Yormark took over as commissioner, but this might be the coolest addition yet. He’s certainly set the bar high in his first year, but it’s safe to say that the Big 12 is headed in the right direction under Yormark’s leadership.
