Last year, the Dawgs absolutely blew up the combine. Jordan Davis showed off some otherworldly speed, Quay Walker raised his stock, and Travon Walker cemented himself as the first pick of the draft. A couple of guys in 2023 had big weekends, so let’s highlight who made themselves some money this offseason.
QB Stetson Bennett IV
Bennett made up for any potential mishaps after an arrest during Senior Bowl weekend, posting great athletic numbers and showing some serious zip during throwing drills:
Stetson Bennett is throwing darts in Indy. He’s making some money today. pic.twitter.com/75Oga429Vk
— Graham Coffey (@GrahamCoffeyDC) March 4, 2023
4.67 for Stetson Bennett and he doesn’t even look like he’s trying to turn on the jets pic.twitter.com/GnSmg2WGGX
— Graham Coffey (@GrahamCoffeyDC) March 4, 2023
It was a good day for Bennett, who’s Relative Athletic Score was mostly only hurt by his height and weight. His throws were what stole the show.
RAS: 7.76
Stetson Bennett RAS so far.https://t.co/7fYzjQgtO1 #RAS pic.twitter.com/c4RlosQkKn
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 5, 2023
TE Darnell Washington
It wasn’t a big secret that Darnell Washington is an athletic freak of nature, but he really showed out at the combine. If his vertical was a bit higher, he would be even closer to a perfect score. He had an incredible one-handed catch, cementing his status as one of the bets tight ends in the class and possibly a first round pick.
RAS: 9.90
Darnell Washington is a TE prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.90 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 11 out of 1020 TE from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/nuPxNPNuDU #RAS pic.twitter.com/lhXwQE9qtg
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 5, 2023
OT Broderick Jones
Out of all of these guys, Jones has the highest chance of being selected in the top ten. He is a powerful run blocker, but his pass protection sets could use some work. Jones didn’t post eye-popping numbers, but he showed some good speed and didn’t draw any red flags. That’s all he needed to do.
RAS: 9.39
Broderick Jones RAS so far.https://t.co/vFkVwmKbeo #RAS pic.twitter.com/uFTrqdw7wB
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 5, 2023
EDGE Nolan Smith
Out of this entire group, Nolan Smith was the big winner. Smith ran an absurd 4.39 40-yard dash, the fastest for any defensive lineman at the combine. His arm length didn’t come in as short as I expected, and he looks to be fully healed from his pectoral injury. He has a real chance to sneak into the first round of the draft.
RAS: 9.20
Brought up on broadcast yesterday, but Georgia pass rusher Nolan Smith has an extremely close #RAS athletic comp to Eagles pass rusher Haason Reddick. Nearly the same size, but faster and more explosive. pic.twitter.com/GcTJjSz2ET
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 3, 2023
EDGE Robert Beal Jr.
If Smith was the big winner, Beal wasn’t far behind him — literally. With a 4.48 40 yard dash, Beal was the second fastest defensive lineman. I thought about giving the final spot to Kelee Ringo — who was impressive in his own right — but this score should ensure Beal gets drafted:
RAS: 8.51
ROBERT BEAL JR. OFFICIAL 40 TIME IS A 4.48
— Graham Coffey (@GrahamCoffeyDC) March 2, 2023
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
