Oklahoma RB Kennedy Brooks Surprises at NFL Combine
The knock against Kennedy Brooks when he ran the football at Oklahoma was that he didn’t have great speed.
Brooks dispelled that notion Friday night at the NFL Scouting Combine when he ran his 40 in 4.59 seconds.
That’s not elite, but it’s a good time. Brooks told the Norman Transcript he thought he’d run a 4.4, but he was off that pace.
In this year’s class, Brooks’ combine 40 time is tied for 20th among running backs. But historically, plenty of running backs didn’t hit 4.59 at the combine and still became good NFL players.
In 2019, David Montgomery ran 4.62 and Devin Singletary ran 4.66. On 2018, Darrel Williams ran 4.72. In 2017, James Conner ran 4.65 and Kareem Hunt ran 4.62. All have become NFL starters or co-starters.
One running back from the 2017 draft who has become a star — New Orleans’ Alvin Kamara — ran a 4.56. While Brooks measured 5-foot-11, and weighs 209 pounds, Kamara was 5-10 and 214. Kamara was more explosive in his jumps and cone drills, but with three 1,000-yard seasons at OU, Brooks was a more productive player in college.
Brooks’ patient running style is in the mold of a Le'Veon Bell, with an emphasis on vision, anticipation and exploding through a developing hole. His versatility as a runner, a pass catcher and a blocker will land him a job on the next level.
Offensive linemen also worked out Friday night, and the Sooners had two players competing.
Tyrese Robinson ran his 40 in 5.25 seconds, while Marquis Hayes crossed in 5.30.
Robinson, who started at guard for two years before moving to right tackle in his final season and finished with 38 career starts at OU, checked in at 6-3, 317 pounds.
Hayes, who was a three-year starter at guard with 37 career starts, measured 6-5, 318.
