BOISE — As one of the most important 20-minute stretches of his life approached, Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien killed time Tuesday by talking about the hot start for his beloved Seattle Mariners.

Just as he was for much of his Boise State career, the record-setting quarterback was as cool, calm and collected as he could be.

After waiting two-plus hours for his turn, Rypien wowed NFL scouts and personnel with an impressive throwing display during Boise State’s annual Pro Day inside the Caven-Williams Sports Complex.

“It was a really exciting opportunity and I thought for the most part I threw the ball really well,” Rypien said. “I had a lot of different throws in there. Some drop backs, some movement, some fun and sliding stuff. Overall I thought it was really good.

“I had some very difficult throws put in there for a reason. I wanted to show I could make those intermediate throws, some of those tougher out-routes I had at the end. I felt good on those. I felt like the ball was coming out of my hand well all day. Overall very, very pleased.”

Throwing to former teammates Sean Modster and A.J. Richardson — who also were trying to impress NFL scouts Tuesday — Rypien ran through a script of throws that he and quarterbacks coach John Beck had been working on for weeks.

Scouts from nearly every NFL team watched and took notes as Rypien slung the ball all over the field. Some were short, hard throws. Others were deep down the sideline. Only a few hit the ground.

Rypien, who added about 10 pounds of “good weight” since the end of last season, is hoping to be the first Boise State quarterback drafted since Jim McMillan went in the 14th round in 1975. His performance Tuesday, along with his work last month at the NFL Scouting Combine, appear to have put him in a good spot.

“Obviously at the end of the day I don’t control anything, but I’d like to say I put myself in a good position and that’s all I can say at this point,” Rypien said. “I don’t make those decisions, but I think I’ve shown enough to put myself in a good position to get picked. … I thought I had a good day.”

Rypien finished his Boise State career last December as the Mountain West Conference’s all-time leading passer with 13,581 yards. That also ranks second in school history, as does his total for completions (1,036), attempts (1,618), touchdowns (90) and interception ratio (.0179).

He made 52 starts since debuting in the second half against Idaho State in the third game of his true freshman year in 2015, going 37-12 as the starter and leading the Broncos to three straight 10-win seasons. The Broncos won the 2017 Mountain West championship and two bowl games with Rypien under center, and he was named the 2018 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.

Now he’s just a few weeks from hopefully living out his dream. Most mock drafts and NFL talent evaluators project Rypien to be picked anywhere between the fourth and seventh rounds when the NFL gathers in Nashville for the seven-round draft April 25-27.

And the work is not over. He still has visits scheduled with multiple NFL teams in the next few weeks leading up to the draft.

“It’s been a long process and something I kind of want to be done with,” Rypien joked. “I want to know where I’m going and get there and be productive right away. No matter where you get drafted or even if I go undrafted, no matter what team I go to, I’m going to have to come in and be productive right away and that’s what I’m looking forward to, getting in a locker room and playing real football again.”

Rypien plans to watch the draft back home in Spokane with his family, including his uncle and former Super Bowl MVP, Mark Rypien. His uncle was a sixth-round pick in the 1986 draft. He might only be a few short weeks from topping him.

“It’s real exciting,” Rypien said. “It’s an opportunity that you dream about as a young kid. I can remember ever since I got to watch my uncle play on some older clips back when he played in the Super Bowl and different things like that, I kind of fell in love with this game. I know he’s going to be there with me on draft day hopefully and that will be a special moment for all of my family.”

MATTISON PLEASED TO IMPROVE 40 TIME

Former Boise State running back Alexander Mattison was the second main-attraction alongside Rypien on Tuesday afternoon, but the only one of the two to try and improve upon his 40-yard dash time.

Mission accomplished.

Mattison was unhappy with his recorded time of 4.67 seconds from the NFL Scouting Combine and set out to improve upon that number Tuesday. He was clocked at 4.52 seconds in his first of two attempts, significantly helping his stock for the upcoming draft.

“It was a big thing for me to go out there and prove that I’m faster than what that time was at the combine,” Mattison said. “That was in the back of my head while I was training the whole time. I just wanted to prove people wrong and make sure I go out there and prove that not only was that a false time, but at the same time prove that I can improve and that I’m working to get better and I’ll continue to do so.

“It feels good just to know all your hard work is paying off.”

The two-year starter led the FBS with 302 carries heading into bowl season and ranked No. 7 with 1,415 rushing yards. He rushed for 200 yards in each of his final two games with the Broncos and had 999 rushing yards over the final seven games of the year.

Mattison appears to be in a similar spot as Rypien when it comes to draft projections. Most have him going in the fifth to seventh rounds. The last two Boise State running backs to enter the draft early both went in the fifth round in Jay Ajayi and Jeremy McNichols.

“I’m positive this was the right choice for me,” Mattison said of electing to skip his senior season. “It’s been surreal. The whole process has been in and out of a dream-like state…There’s a few weeks until the actual draft happens and it’s just been a blessing to be in the position I am. It’s a dream come true.”

Mattison has already visited the Chicago Bears and said he’s hopeful to visit with a few more teams in the next few weeks.