Heart Over Height: The Taylor Bolesta Pro Day Journey
By: Matt Flanagan | Sportzwire | March 27, 2025 | Photo courtesy Jake Speicher
Taylor Bolesta’s football journey is one that embodies grit, perseverance, and an unshakable belief in self. The former Stony Brook defensive tackle may not have entered his pro day with prototypical NFL size, but what he lacked in height and reach, he made up for in sheer effort, preparation, and heart.
Known for his relentless motor and quiet confidence, Bolesta entered the 2025 pro day circuit determined to make noise—and he did just that. Standing 6’0¼” and weighing in at 279 pounds, his measurables didn’t scream elite on paper. But from the very first rep, it was clear: this was a player who had put in the work.
Taylor came to me with one goal in mind—to give himself the absolute best chance to play at the next level. He committed to an eight-week intensive training program split between Fame Strength in Dallas and The Dome at Misericordia. From day one, he was all in. Every detail mattered to him: his sleep, his diet, his nutrient timing, and his recovery. We didn’t just focus on speed and strength—we added position-specific skill work twice a week in circuit-style training so he’d be sharp for every aspect of his pro day.
And when that day came, he delivered.
At his pro day, Taylor posted a 9.19 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), placing him firmly in elite company among defensive tackles. His 40-yard dash time of 4.86 seconds earned a 9.54 RAS score, with explosive splits of 1.62 (10-yard) and 2.68 (20-yard). He hit 33” on the vertical and 10’0” on the broad, showing off elite lower-body explosion. He also knocked out 34 reps on the bench, proving his power up top matched what he showed on tape.
He was the only defensive tackle participating from Stony Brook, so he was the only one who went through the defensive line skills portion—and he crushed it. Every drill was executed with confidence and control. His feet were clean, his hands were violent, and his transitions were sharp. It looked like he had done the drills a hundred times before—because he had.
The only area Taylor didn’t score high in was size—his height, weight, and reach came in on the lower end of NFL measurables. But everything else? He dominated. That’s what made his go-to phrase during training hit even harder: “Heart over height.” He knew he couldn’t control his frame, but he could control everything else—and he absolutely did.
I’ve worked with a lot of athletes, and I can confidently say Taylor Bolesta is one of the hardest working young men I’ve ever trained. His attention to detail, day in and day out, was incredible. He never took a rep off, never cut a corner, and never lost focus. He attacked every workout with intention and heart.
Taylor Bolesta’s pro day wasn’t just a workout—it was a statement. He proved that when preparation meets opportunity, anything is possible.
And he’s just getting started.
