Bucknell QB Ralph Rucker IV Set to Attend NFL Pro Day Monday

Ralph Rucker IV, Bucknell University's fifth-year quarterback and former Bison captain, participated in an NFL Pro Day at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia on Monday, March 9, joining athletes from fellow Patriot League school Lehigh at the Philadelphia Eagles' indoor facility.

Rucker arrived in Philadelphia with a clear agenda. "I plan to showcase my speed, quickness and my ability to make any throw on the field," he said ahead of the event. "Another attribute I hope they acknowledge is my leadership and command that I display throughout the day."

The Lewisburg product finished his final season of eligibility in 2026 as the most prolific offensive player in Bucknell football history. A standout performance against Richmond earlier in the season, when Rucker went 24-of-34 for 284 yards and a touchdown while adding 26 rushing yards for 310 total yards of offense, pushed him past Brandon Wesley's program record of 6,952 career total offensive yards. That game also earned Rucker Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week honors, one of many milestones in a season where he completed 68.1% of his passes for 1,510 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four interceptions.

Rucker credited Bucknell directly for putting him in position to pursue professional football. "Bucknell is the whole reason I am in this position," he said. "Coach Cecchini gave me the opportunity to be the starting Quarterback in 2023 and since then I've grown as a football player and a man. Having two offensive coordinators in three years allowed me to see the game from different perspectives, ultimately shaping the quarterback I am today. This opportunity to continue to play professionally stems from the hard work my coaches and teammates put in over the last three years and I wouldn't be in the position I am in today without my brothers from Bucknell University."

The Lucas, Texas native has drawn attention as a 2026 NFL Draft prospect, with evaluators pointing to his mobility and intangibles. In a prospect interview, Rucker described what separates him from other quarterbacks at this level: "My unique leadership style and ability to extend the play are characteristics of a worthy prospect in the NFL Draft. As well as, my perseverance and ability to adapt and overcome in situations that present themselves within a given game."

Bucknell Football's official Instagram account announced Rucker's Pro Day participation on March 8, the same afternoon the university's athletics department published its release. Whether any subsequent workouts, tryouts, or roster opportunities follow remains to be seen.