NFL Draft

Combine Confidential: The Need For Speed

NFL Scouting Combine observers in attendance had to pinch themselves to check and see if they were at Indianapolis Motor Speedway or Lucas Oil Stadium?!

Ric Serritella

Combine Confidential: The Need For Speed
Combine Confidential: The Need For Speed /

The city of Indianapolis has been synonymous for speed and it has never been more true than the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Each year, players get bigger, stronger, faster with this year providing a slew of new all-time records. It’s no secret that NFL teams are infatuated with speed and after some of the performances we have witnessed, it’s safe to say that some prospects have boosted their NFL Draft stock. Let’s take a look at some of the movers and shakers from inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

GEORGIA. THAT’S WHO!

The Georgia Bulldogs had 15 players chosen in the 2022 NFL Draft (the most ever since the NFL moved to a seven round format), including a record five players selected in the first round. So it was no surprise to see more Bulldogs dominate the headlines once again.

The biggest show-stopper by far has been Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith [6021 | 238 | 0900 | 3258], who registered an eye-popping 4.39 forty-yard dash (1.52 ten-yard split), along with a 41.5” vertical jump and 10-foot-8 broad jump. These testing numbers combined with his film, which highlights his twitchy bend on the edge, would appear to make Smith a lock for the top half of the first round. Coming off a torn pectoral injury, he will wait for his pro day to do positional drills but it was a great reminder for NFL evaluators just how fast and explosive he truly is.

Top 5 Edge 40-Yard Dash Times

  • 4.39 [1.52] Nolan Smith, Georgia
  • 4.43 [1.60] Byron Young, Tennessee
  • 4.48 [1.62] Robert Beal, Georgia
  • 4.49 [1.61] Ade Adebamore, Northwestern
  • 4.51 [1.56] YaYa Diaby, Louisville

As reported earlier in the week, it has not been a pleasant week of news for fellow Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. After arrest warrants were issued in Athens for reckless driving and racing with another person (misdemeanor charges that carry up to a maximum of one-year in jail), Carter returned back to Indianapolis after he was booked and bonded, in order to finish up his medical examination, along with other combine duties. While he didn’t do any drills, Carter was later seen on-field supporting his fellow defensive line participants. Once considered to be the top overall player in this year’s draft, NFL teams will be forced to do more investigation on the character concerns surrounding Carter.

COMBINE OPT-OUTS

Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter [6031 | 314 | 1028 | 3348] was not the only high profile prospect who did not participate in testing or drills. Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson [6061 | 271 | 0958 | 3558], who is recovering from a fractured foot injury suffered in mid-November also sat out. Several additional players did not workout due to hamstring injuries, including Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith [6026 | 323 | 0968 | 3368] and Ohio State defensive end Zach Harrison [6054 | 274 | 1000 | 3628], who possesses a whopping 85.5” wingspan! Sources have indicated that Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid and Ohio State wideout Jaxson Smith-Njigba have also been added to the growing list of combine attendee opt-outs. These players will now turn to their pro day workouts for one last chance to impress NFL decision-makers.

KLANCEY QUIETS NAYSAYERS

During his media session, Calijah Klancey [6005 | 281 | 0918 | 3058] acknowledged that he uses his critics as motivation. Too small, undersized, tweener, the Pittsburgh defensive end has heard it all. There wasn’t a better way he could have celebrated his birthday than conquering the combine. Standing in at just under 6-foot-1 and weighing 281 pounds, Klancey measured taller and bigger than expected. Add that to his 4.67 official forty-yard dash, which is the fastest time ever recorded for a defensive tackle known to date, it all equates to him being one of the big combine winners. That rare combination of athleticism and quickness is going to make it difficult for NFL teams to bypass on Klancey, who is clearly keeping receipts.

Top 5 DL 40-Yard Dash Times

  • 4.67 [1.64] Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
  • 4.81 [1.72] Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma
  • 4.85 [1.72] Dante Stills, West Virginia
  • 4.86 [1.71] Brian Bresee, Clemson
  • 4.88 [1.81] Gervan Dexter, Florida State

INDY NOTABLES

One player who continues to check off all the boxes during the draft process is Auburn pass-rusher Derick Hall [6026 | 254 | 1000 | 3448]. Hall parlayed his momentum from an impressive Senior Bowl into Indianapolis, blazing a 4.55 forty-yard dash. He looked extremely smooth and fluid going through bag drills, while demonstrating top-notch change of direction. His stock continues to ascend.

When the new NFL Draft Bible overall big board is posted, Alabama pass-rusher Will Anderson [6036 | 253 | 0978 | 3378] is the leading candidate to overtake the number one prospect. He crushed the positional drills, displaying elite athleticism, fancy footwork and shined in pass-coverage skills. Outside of small fragments in the scouting community who share concerns about his strength, Anderson is the cleanest looking prospect in town this week.

One of the more intriguing responses from Anderson this week revealed that Texas running back Bijan Robinson was the toughest opponent he faced throughout his career. We will have to wait until the final day of combine workouts on Sunday to watch Robinson compete but he is projected to be the highest back chosen since Saquon Barkley (No.2 overall to the New York Giants). Should the Chicago Bears be able to trade down (Texans at No.2, Colts at No.4, Seahawks at No.5 are all in the market for quarterbacks) and remain in the top five, Robinson will be a real possibility to consider. The backfield tandem of Justin Fields and Robinson would make for the most dangerous duo in the NFL.

Top 5 LB 40-Yard Dash Times

  • 4.39 Owen Pappoe, Auburn
  • 4.43 Trent Simpson, Clemson
  • 4.47 Yasir Abdullah, Louisville
  • 4.49 Dorian Williams, Tulane
  • 4.49 DJ Johnson, Oregon
  • 4.49 Dee Winters, TCU

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Ric Serritella
RIC SERRITELLA

A known media maven, who created the NFL Draft Bible, which used by all 32 NFL teams. Also responsible for developing and installing the fiber-optic network for MLB Network. Served as executive producer for the T.Ocho Show on NBC Sports. Helped launch the YES Network, working on the first show (Mike & The Mad Dogg) and created the Wall Street Journal YouTube Channel. Owns Bachelor’s degree in Sports Entertainment & Event Management from Johnson & Wales University.

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