5 Takeaways from Day 1 of 2023 NFL Combine

Read more on the takeaways from Day 1 of the 2023 NFL scouting combine.

After a series of off-field commitments spanning two days, the first position groups took the field Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind.

The on-field workouts will span through Sunday, with different position groups participating each day. On Thursday, the defensive linemen and linebackers got the opportunity to showcase their skills.

Many of the top players at both positions had the chance to show off their talent in a plethora of individual drills. Here are five takeaways from the first day of drills at the 2023 NFL Combine. 

Injuries haven’t slowed Georgia’s Nolan Smith

Smith entered the combine with something to prove. After suffering a torn pec that cost him the final seven games of Georgia’s season, the combine offered him his first chance to perform on the field since the injury.

The Georgia product showed out, excelling in a number of the different workouts. Known for being a superb athlete, he turned heads with a 4.39 40-yard dash and a 41.5” vertical jump. Both numbers were the best of any participant Thursday.

Additionally, he produced a 10’8” broad jump. That mark placed fourth, with Tennessee’s Byron Young leading the field with a jump of 11-feet even. Though the injury took him out of game action on Oct. 29, it’s clear that Smith hasn’t lost a step as a result of his time on the sideline.

Calijah Kancey impresses with speed, skill

Kancey has been flying somewhat under the radar after posting solid numbers at Pittsburgh. He took advantage of his chance to shine Thursday, wowing scouts with his 4.67 40-yard dash. That time ranked first among defensive tackles.

For context, the Pitt product’s 40-time was better than that of Aaron Donald, a player Kancey is often compared to given his Pittsburgh background and size. It was the fastest time posted by a defensive tackle at the event since 2003. On the heels of this performance and a 2022 campaign that saw him post seven-and-a-half sacks, he’ll be a trendy pick to rise up draft boards.

Bryan Bresee excels

Another prospect with injury concerns, Bresee wowed on the big stage Thursday. He looked explosive in on-field drills, and was among the top performers in most agility tests. His 4.86 40-yard dash ranked fourth, and his 1.71 10-yard split ranked tied for second.

At his size, he demonstrated solid balance and technique. The Clemson defensive tackle’s draft status has fluctuated throughout the offseason. His performance Thursday certainly helped, as he was among the top players on the field.

Mike Morris, Andre Carter II struggle

Two of the event’s more disappointing performers were EDGE prospects Mike Morris and Andre Carter II. Morris, a Michigan product, ran a 4.95 40-yard dash, and posted a vertical jump of 28 inches. Both numbers were lower than what was expected.

Carter entered the combine looking to rebound from a difficult performance at the Senior Bowl. He was limited, as he did not run the 40-yard dash or 3-cone. His showings in other tests, though, included totals in the broad and vertical jumps that ranked outside the position’s top-10.

One positive area for Carter was his showing in the shuttle, a 4.36 time that ranked third among defensive end prospects. His pro day will be highly anticipated, as it offers him another chance to show the NFL world that he’s worth a pick early in the draft.

Campbell among top linebacker performers

Jack Campbell anchored an Iowa defense that was among the best in the Big Ten for each of the last two seasons. On Thursday, he showcased some of the abilities that made him so good in the middle of the Hawkeyes’ unit.

Campbell’s 4.65 40-yard dash ranked near the bottom of his position group, but he posted very solid numbers elsewhere at the event. He ranked third in the vertical jump, second in the broad jump and first in both the 3-cone and 20-yard shuttle.

Though it remains to be seen whether he will be a top-tier player at the next level, it was encouraging to see Campbell show solid athleticism, to pair with his already established physicality and size.