When he was interviewed before the NFL Combine, former Skyline High School star Kenyon Sadiq didn’t hesitate when asked what his goals were for his upcoming workout before NFL scouts.

“I just want to make a statement,” said the Oregon tight end. “I want to have a dominant combine performance. I want to be one of the best to ever do it.”

And then Sadiq went out and performed exactly as he envisioned.

He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds — the fastest ever recorded by a tight end at the combine. He did a 43.5-inch vertical jump, the second highest ever by a tight end. His broad jump — 11 feet, 1 inch — was the third best by a tight end.

After measuring 6 feet, 3 inches and 241 pounds, he was clocked at a maximum of 23.2 miles per hour running the 40-yard dash — a speed that matched NFL Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

“Entering the combine, Sadiq was widely viewed as the top tight end in the class and a likely first-round pick,” wrote Eric Edholm of NFL.com. “His tremendous workout numbers won’t do much to slow down the hype train.”

Scott Berger, Sadiq’s head coach at Skyline, has been meeting with NFL officials this spring who are leaving no stone unturned in evaluating potential draft picks. Scouts from the Rams, Commanders, Packers and 49ers have all contacted Berger to do a “deep dive” on his former all-state star.

“Here’s what the Rams guy told me,” said Berger, “ ‘Coach, if we’re making an $18 to $20 million investment, we want to make sure we’re investing our money in a good way.’ “

All indications are that when the first round of the NFL draft is completed on Thursday evening, some NFL team will be making a big investment in the former Skyline Grizzly.

“They project him anywhere from 12 to 27,” Berger said of what the NFL officials are telling him about Sadiq’s draft position. “That’s an $18 to $26 million contract (over four years), that first contract. And once you get past that, that’s when you get to the real money.”

The most recent first-round draft pick who grew up in Idaho was Colston Loveland, a tight end from Gooding and the University of Michigan, who was taken 10th overall in last year’s draft by the Chicago Bears. Other Idaho natives have gone in the first round of the draft — Leighton Vander Esch (Riggins) and Shea McClellin (Marsing) of Boise State were both first-rounders. But Sadiq may well be the first eastern Idahoan to go in the opening round.

The Idaho Falls community is certainly planning on Sadiq being taken early in the draft. Friends, family and Grizzly fans are invited to attend a draft party at the Skyline main gymnasium from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Food and games will be available, and Berger said there is the possibility that an ESPN camera crew may stop by to capture local reaction when Sadiq’s name gets called.

Sadiq, who had 51 catches and eight touchdowns at Oregon last season, has certainly made a statement with his physical performance at the combine. But Berger said he’s also making an impression with his character, his drive and his football IQ.

“When they’ve had him in for interviews — the Vikings, the Broncos — they’ll send him some plays and expect you to be able to explain it,” said Berger, who has been texting with Sadiq this spring about his pre-draft experiences. “He’s the type of kid, he knows everybody’s assignment. He has a very good football IQ, is what they (NFL officials) have said.”

That doesn’t come as a surprise to Berger, who has seen an extremely focused Sadiq since he transferred to Skyline from Marsh Valley as a freshman.

“I’ve never seen a more focused kid when he was in high school,” said Berger. “Most high school kids are goofing off. The only time I ever saw him let his hair down was after a playoff game in the dome (ICCU Dome at Idaho State). They had music playing and Kenyon was dancing to the music. That’s the only time I ever saw him cut loose. He was just so focused.”

Berger, who has been coaching high school football in eastern Idaho for 43 years, says there’s really only one other player from this side of the state who compares to Sadiq — former Highland High School quarterback Taysom Hill, who has played nine seasons in the NFL.

“Taysom Hill would be comparable,” said Berger. “He was just big, strong, fast. A good kid. He was focused to a T. He was the total package, too. Kenyon is right up there with Taysom Hill, definitely. Those two are special kids.”

During his pre-combine interview, Sadiq was asked about coming from Idaho, which is not exactly known for cranking out NFL prospects.

“Growing up in Idaho, I wouldn’t change the experience,” he said. “Obviously it’s a little slower pace there. But the culture there and the people are amazing. I can’t say anything bad about Idaho. I love it, and I’ll go back there for sure.”

He added that draft night will be an emotional experience for him and his family.

“It means everything,” he said. “My family has gone through a lot these last few years. So many sacrifices they have made to get me here. It’s hard to put into words.”