Pro Day Speed Burners: 6 Forty Times That Caught NFL Scouts Attention
Things that make you go, Hmmm. Every year, there are workout warriors along the pro day circuit that force NFL scouts to circle back to the film and do additional homework in order to make sure that they didn’t miss the mark on their initial evaluation of prospects who test with abnormal times.
Below are six players who were snubbed from the NFL Scouting Combine but turned in exceptional forty-yard dash times and strong overall pro day workouts. These are some serious names that you need to know for the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, just one month away!
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The debate as to just who the fastest player in the 2023 NFL Draft Class may never be settled but UAB CB Starling Thomas [5096/194] is certainly in the conversation. Previous reports indicated that his in-game speed had reached up to 24mph on the Catapult technology and he did not disappoint at his pro day. Scouts in attendance had Thomas in the high 4.2 / low 4.3 range during his forty-yard dash attempts (the school website posted 4.30). He added a 37.5” vertical jump and a 10-foot-5 broad jump. The slot specialist possesses the talent and speed to be considered a solid late-round draft selection.
One player who proved he deserved to be in Indianapolis was Michigan State OLB Ben VanSumeren [6020/231], who put on a freak show with the representatives from all 32 NFL teams in attendance! The hyper-stacked backer blazed a 4.45 forty-yard dash (1.52 ten-yard split), with 29 bench press reps of 225 pounds, a 42.5” vertical jump, 10-foot-11 broad jump, 4.46 short shuttle and 7.10 three-cone drill. After transferring from rival Michigan, VanSumeren has spent the past two seasons with the Spartans and had 81 tackles in 2022 after battling injuries the prior year. He stands a very strong chance to hear his name called come April.
Another Michigan State defender who turned heads at his workout was lengthy defensive back Ameer Speed [6033/209], who lived up to his name, running an eye-popping 4.34 forty-yard dash (1.56 ten-yard split) with a 4.26 short shuttle and 6.99 three-cone times. The size and movement skills are similar to that of Tariq Woolen (Seahawks) a year ago. While some evaluators had Speed pegged as a safety, this demonstration of speed may be enough persuasion to stick at cornerback in the pros. The one-time Georgia recruit possesses a combination of size, speed, athleticism and versatility that bodes well for his chances at the next level.
It’s been nearly a decade since a player from Kent State (Dri Archer in 2014) has been selected in the NFL draft but SS Nico Bolden [6033/208] has a chance to put an end to the dry spell. A defensive chess piece, Bolden flashed his versatility to play either safety position or linebacker during the week of NFLPA Collegiate Bowl practices and he followed that up with a superb pro day. The combination of size and speed is impressive, as Bolden checked in with a 4.44 forty-yard dash (1.64 ten-yard split), a 41” vertical jump, and a 10-foot-7 broad jump. Bolden can get more physical than Richard Simmons, as evidenced by his 102 tackles this past season. The mainstream media has been asleep at the wheel on this young man. We suspect NFL decision-makers might know better.
Remember the name of BYU CB Kaleb Hayes [5113/196], who dazzled with his pro day workout. The grad transfer from Oregon State clocked in at 4.31 in the forty-yard dash, adding a 40” vertical jump and 10-foot-8 broad jump. Hayes finished with 113 tackles and 18 pass breakups over the past two seasons in Provo. It’s quite possible that he has done enough to get drafted next month, as his well-balanced overall game should help him contend for a spot on a 53-man roster come August.
Auburn long-striding WR Shedrick Jackson [6012/193] turned in an overall impressive performance, timing 4.31 in the forty-yard dash (1.50 ten-yard split), with a 38.5” vertical jump and 11-foot-2 broad jump. Jackson then proceeded to make several nice grabs during positional drills, as he was on the receiving end of passes from quarterback Cam Newton, who checked in at Tigers pro day for his latest comeback attempt. While Jackson lacks physical traits, his speed certainly provides an element of potential worth latching onto as a special teamer early on (has gunner experience) as he continues to develop.
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