‘Lot of game left in me’: Huskies prepare for pro day, final NFL showcase

Ulumoo Ale still has gas in the tank. All he wants is a chance to prove it. 

A program-record 13 Washington football players went to Indianapolis at the end of February to take part in the 2024 NFL combine. Ale, the sixth-year defensive tackle who prepped at Fife High School, wasn’t among them. 

“I’ve got a lot of game left in me,” he said. 

Ale has one more chance to get some attention from NFL scouts. Thursday, Washington will hold its annual pro day at Dempsey Indoor Center at 9:45 a.m.

It’s an important showcase for all of UW’s draft-eligible players. But for Ale and fellow defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa, who also didn’t receive a combine invite, pro day represents their best chance to show NFL scouts they have what it takes to play at the next level. 

“I’m looking forward to pro day, obviously,” Ale said. “Expecting to have a pretty good pro day. There’s going to be a lot of teams there to scout after a successful season, and I’m just looking forward to showing everybody what I can do.”

Ale had an unconventional career at Washington. Arriving before the 2018 season, he was recruited as an offensive lineman. He started every game at left guard during the COVID-impacted 2020 season, along with the final six games of the 2021 campaign. 

He switched to the defensive line following the arrival of coach Kalen DeBoer in 2022, registering 11 tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass deflection in 11 games. Ale was named a starter a year later and had 18 tackles, a sack and a pass deflected while playing in all 15 games during Washington’s run to the College Football Playoff championship game. 

Ale’s late-career position switch hinted at his relatively recent introduction to football. He was born in Samoa and grew up in Australia, where he was a three-time Golden Gloves heavyweight champion boxer. He only picked up football when he moved to the U.S. during his sophomore year of high school. Ale said a majority of his improvement in college was simply getting a better feel for the game.

“I am pretty new to the sport,” Ale said. “And I’ve had an opportunity to play at a high level on both sides, so I’m just learning the game and expanding that knowledge.”

Ale’s had a busy schedule, even without a combine invite. He participated in the 2024 Hula Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 13, less than a week after playing in Washington’s 34-13 defeat against Michigan in the CFP championship game. Ale said it was a good opportunity to meet scouts and try to get on a team’s radar. 

Since the Hula Bowl, Ale’s been training for pro day at X3 Performance and Physical Therapy in Fort Myers, Fla. He said he’s focused on speed and improving his running technique, explosiveness and trying to get healthier after a rigorous season in the trenches. 

“I bring size, athleticism, I can contribute on the line of scrimmage and cause havoc,” he said. “I’m a great teammate. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win, switching from one side to another or whatever is needed of me. I’m competitive. 

“I trust in my athletic ability, and I know I can compete with whoever’s lined up in front of me.” 

Ale’s not the only one looking forward to pro day. Washington tight end Devin Culp did receive a combine invite. His 4.47-second 40-yard sprint during the event ranked fastest among all players in his position group, one-tenth of a second faster than Penn State’s Theo Johnson. 

Culp is realistic about his draft prospects. He wasn’t sure he was even going to get a combine invite until just before the participant list was released. The Spokane product, who starred at Gonzaga Prep, said his combine performance might have gotten him more attention as he tries to prove he’s worthy of a late-round draft choice. 

A strong pro day can help his case. Culp’s goal is to be top five in all of the timed speed and agility drills. 

“I plan on just going in focused, ready to put on another good performance,” he said. 

Not all of Washington’s NFL-eligible players will participate in pro day. Wide receiver Rome Odunze, already a projected top-10 selection by several outlets, won’t work out, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. 

It makes sense for a player with Odunze’s draft grade to not participate. Former UW cornerback Sidney Jones, a projected first-round choice in the 2017 draft, infamously suffered a left Achilles tendon injury during Washington’s pro day and fell to the second round. Yet for players like Culp and Ale, pro day is their final chance to make a big impression. 

“I’m looking forward to it,” Ale said. “I’d be grateful to play for any of the 32 teams.”

Added Culp: “It’s time to prove it to the guys in the league that I’m ready for this.”