The defensive tackles at the top of the class were enough to stay there.
The 2023 Combine NFL opened its drills on the field Thursday, beginning with the defensive linemen and linebacker groups. As is tradition, one group started with the 40-meter dash, then switched to positional exercises, while another group completed agility exercises and measured jumps.
As the measurable numbers from the skill drills are slowly released, let’s take a close look at the centre-backs who have stood out.
Bryan Bresee, 4i/3T, Clemson, 6ft-5 1/2, 298
40-yard dash time/10-yard split: 4.86/1.71
Bresee checked the boxes for size and speed, but also showed well in the athletic drills on the field. Bresee displayed quick feet when moving sideways, could stay low and flat when bending the corner in pass rush drills, and was able to stack his pass rush moves while maintaining control and remained balanced.
Overall he did enough to keep the conversation going into Round 1, which should have been the goal for the day.
Calijah Kancey, 3/5T, Pittsburgh, 6ft-1, 281
40/10: 4.67/1.64
The showstopper for Kancey, of course, was his 40/10 yard split. Kancey, who’s from Pittsburgh and checks in at 6ft 1,281lbs, naturally gets the Aaron Donald comparison. And after his split, those comparisons will surely continue.
Donald: 6ft-0 3/4, 285, 4.69/1.63
Kancey: 6-ft-1, 281, 4.67/1.64
The big difference is arm length (Donald 32 5/8 vs. Kancey 30 5/8) and we need to see how many reps Kancey can bench press – Donald did 35 reps.
Kancey hasn’t done any field exercises either, which would have really helped him solidify his stock.
quick thoughts
- Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin (6-foot-4, 309) got better with each exercise and by the end of Combine he had demonstrated his balance, strength and ability to change direction at top speed.
- Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina (6-ft-4, 334) was significantly more fluid than I expected and his ability to maintain body control at 334 pounds was very impressive.
- Zach Pickens, South Carolina (6-ft-4, 291) looked very smooth in his lateral drills and his length showed in pass rushing drills.
- jaquelin roy, LSU (6-foot-3, 305) showed smooth feet when chopping in small spaces and managed to get his body up and down easily, but he struggled in space.
- Gervon Dexter, Florida (6-ft-5 1/2, 310) had a combie that mirrored his Florida career, followed by flashes of appealing traits but rough patches that left wanting more.
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