Inside The Panthers

Pitt DL Calijah Kancey Earning Aaron Donald Comparisons

Calijah Kancey's NFL Combine performance was on par with one of the best Pitt Panthers in history.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt DL Calijah Kancey Earning Aaron Donald Comparisons
Pitt DL Calijah Kancey Earning Aaron Donald Comparisons /
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INDIANAPOLIS -- When you put the numbers side-by-side, it's hard not to make the comparison. The similarities between Aaron Donald and Calijah Kancey, two undersized Pitt Panthers, are uncanny. 

For years, ever since Kancey had stepped foot into the same complex Donald practiced in as a Panther, sporting the same build and quickness as him, people had wondered if Pitt had stumbled upon another player of that caliber. If the first day of the NFL Combine is any indication, they did. Not only did Kancey clock in with similar measurables as Donald, but he moved just as fast while running the 40-yard dash. 

His unofficial times of 4.78 and 4.73 were easily the two fastest of the defensive lineman to participate on day one of drills at the Combine and his official time blew everyone in his position group out of the water. 

Kancey outdid one of the all-time greats that he models his game after by running the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds - the fastest time of any defensive lineman in NFL Combine history - and 1/100th of a second faster than Donald's record-setting time from 2013. Kancey also broke Donald's record for the fastest 40-yard dash time by a player weighing 280 pounds or more. 

Before he stepped on the field, Kancey warned the word that he would turn some heads with his speed. 

“I’m going to surprise everyone with my 40," Kancey said. "Stay tuned.”

He did more than that. Kancey was already one of the most attractive interior defensive line in this year's draft class. Despite checking in one inch taller and one pound heavier than what he was listed as on Pitt's roster, he proved that his quickness will translate to the highest level of football.  

Donald spent an extra season in Pittsburgh and played in 18 more games than Kancey, so the counting stats are not comparable, but the style of play is. As smaller players, both Donald and Kancey relied on quick hands and strong lower bodies to evade blockers and drive them back. 

The hype around Kancey had been building as the draft process heats up with each passing day and after his record-breaking day on the field, the hype will only continue to grow. 

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Published
Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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