Need 4 Speed: Ric's NFL Combine Confidential clocks a 4.26 second
Ric had to pinch himself to check and see if he was at Indianapolis Motor Speedway or Lucas Oil Stadium.
Welcome everyone!
I am currently on location at the NFL Scouting Combine, testing through Mon, Mar6,. and wanted to share with you an update on the fastest players entering the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
***Reminder the NFLDB Draftmetrics: Guide to the Combine by Anthony Villiotti which can serve as your guide to interpreting what you're watching and reading about the NFL Combine is now a free article on my Substack below.
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“The most in-depth draft guide ever seen.” – Dick Vermeil, 2022 Pro Football HOF Inductee
Catered towards die-hard draftniks, the NFL Draft Bible publication has been bringing you the names you need to know for over two decades! It is filled with in-depth scouting analysis, background information, medical reports, statistics, and more. The publication features a unique player rating scale that measures each prospect's immediate impact level, potential developmental grade if a player maximizes their potential, and a final projection of what type of player each prospect will ultimately become. Additionally, it includes exclusive interviews with NFL GMs, HCs, and draft-eligible players. Founded by Ric Serritella in 2002, you won't find more accurate information compiled on NFL Draft prospects anywhere else in the world!
“When it comes to the NFL Draft, nobody breaks it down better.” – Brian Baldinger, NFL Network Analyst
The city of Indianapolis has long been synonymous with speed, and this has never been more true than at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, which takes place in Indianapolis each year. Players continue to get bigger, stronger, and faster, with this year's combine producing a slew of new all-time records. It’s no secret that NFL teams are infatuated with speed, and after witnessing some of the performances at the combine, it’s safe to say that some prospects have boosted their NFL Draft stock. Let’s take a look at some of the standout performers on the defensive side of the ball testing at the Combine.
In my annual celebration of Mark, and my attempt to make Mark look cool on the internet, he usually saves me a spot to watch the forty-yard dash. Below is Mark representing NoBull at the real 40/40 club.
GEORGIA. THAT’S WHO!
The Georgia Bulldogs football team 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 football players dominate the headlines once again.
The biggest show-stopper by far at the NFL combine has been Georgia Bulldogs 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 impressive testing numbers, combined with his film that highlights his twitchy bend on the edge, would appear to make Smith a lock for the top half of the first round. Coming off an injury to his pectoral muscle, he will wait for his pro day to do positional drills, but this performance was a great reminder for NFL evaluators of his speed and explosiveness.
While he has been out of sight since October, Georgia OLB Nolan Smith has not been forgotten. Despite a lackluster college resume, there is no doubt that Smith possesses the athletic traits that make scouts salivate, along with all the tools in the shed.
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
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.
All Access with Klancey at the Combine podium
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.
Hall a special athlete who flashed in 2020 before exploding in 2021, Derick Hall has the versatility, bend, length, and burst to be an elite pass rusher in the NFL. That said, he must seriously overhaul his pass rush plan and technique. He needs to learn to play to his skillset. He currently projects as a valuable developmental piece and designated pass rusher with special teams value.
When the new NFLDB 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. Wowza!
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
Top 40-Yard Dash Defensive backs
DJ Turner (Michigan), 4.26 seconds. Turner is a small but twitchy cornerback with good technique and exciting athletic ability that should make him an asset in man coverage.
Jakorian Bennett (Maryland), 4.30 seconds.
Deonte Banks (Maryland), 4.35 seconds.
Emmanuel Forbes (Mississippi State), 4.35 seconds.
Kelee Ringo (Georgia), 4.36 seconds.
Darius Rush (South Carolina), 4.36 seconds.
Vroom Vroom, we saw some incredible performances from the future defensive speedsters of the NFL. In 2022 Kalon Barnes (Baylor CB), ran 4.23 seconds and Tariq Woolen (UTSA CB), ran 4.26 seconds.
Reporting from Indy for the NFLDB and All Access Football
Draftnick Ric & Kayla Santiago
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About Ric
Ric Serritella is a football scouting expert who founded the NFL Draft Bible, an independent scouting service and publication in 2002. He is a proud member of the Pro Football Writers Association and the Football Writers Association of America.
The NFLDB provides information to all 32 NFL teams and serves as the official scouting service provider for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, HUB Football Camps, and Fan Controlled Football League (FCF). In addition, Serritella has more than two decades of experience in scouting for various organizations and working with major media networks such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN, USA TODAY, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, YES Network, and Wall Street Journal.
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2023 NFL Draft Bible Hard Copy (Only 250 Copies Available)
Catered towards the die-hard draftnik, The NFL Draft Bible Publication has been bringing you the names you need to know for over two decades! Filled with in-depth scouting analysis, background information, medical reports, stats and MORE. Featuring, a unique player rating scale, which measures each prospects immediate impact level, potential developmental grade if a player maxes out his potential and a final projection of what type of each player they will ultimately become. Plus exclusive interviews with NFL GMs, HCs and draft-eligible players. Founded by Ric Serritella in 2002, you won’t find more accurate information compiled on NFL Draft prospects anywhere in the world!
“The most in-depth draft guide ever seen.” – Dick Vermeil, 2022 Pro Football HOF Inductee
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