2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Most Noteworthy Performances

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The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up over the weekend. Every year, Indianapolis is home to some of the most impressive athletes that are set to enter the NFL. Some performances are not all that surprising. As for others, the way in which they stand out can be record-breaking.

You may not be able to translate all of these athletic testing results to playing in pads at the NFL level. At the same time, history dictates that some noteworthy performances at the Scouting Combine can earn prospects added hype.

We want to focus on some of the most positive testing performances from this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. This is strictly looking at athletic testing numbers, rather than just judging drills off of the eye test. Who made themselves a bit of money? Here are 10 names that stood out exceptionally in Indianapolis.

Anthony Richardson- Florida QB

The expectation was that Anthony Richardson would post freaky results at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. However, no one knew just how freaky his athletic testing would be. Richardson clocked a 4.44-second 40-yard dash. That is second best all-time among quarterbacks, per Next Gen Stats. Meanwhile, he set new Scouting Combine records for a QB at broad jump (10’9’’) and vertical jump (40.5’’).

Richardson certainly made himself some money at the Scouting Combine. Overall, he is entering the NFL at a perfect time for his athletic style. Most teams want a quarterback who can do it all. For Anthony Richardson, he falls in the ultimate bucket of teams needing to bet on the traits.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba- Ohio State WR

Jaxon Smith-Njigba opted not to run the 40-yard dash. Despite that, the Ohio State product lit up the athletic testing. This was crucial for Smith-Njigba for many reasons. One, he barely got to play in 2022, due to a nagging hamstring injury. JSN also faces certain scouting questions about his speed and athleticism.

Smith-Njigba put any questions around his athletic ability to rest at the 2023 Scouting Combine. According to Next Gen Stats, his 3.93-second short shuttle was the quickest for a wide receiver since Brandin Cooks at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine. His 6.57-second recording in the 3-cone drill was also the best of any wide receiver from this weekend. Smith-Njigba quickly silenced any doubters that questioned his short area quickness.

Adetomiwa Adebawore- Northwestern DL

Names like Richardson and Smith-Njigba are likely household names for NFL Draft fans. But for Adetomiwa Adebawore, he made himself some money by putting himself on the map for the casual audience. At 6’2’’ and 282 pounds, Adebawore produced historic results for a player that checked in at over 275 pounds.

The defensive lineman officially clocked in at 4.49 seconds on the 40-yard dash. Next Gen Stats lists that as the best 40-yard dash time for a player over 275 pounds since 2003. His vertical jump (37.5’’) and broad jump (10’5’’) also ranked third and tied for second respectively, for a player meeting that size threshold in the last 20 years. Having that athleticism with his versatility is incredibly beneficial for Adebawore entering the NFL.

Deonte Banks- Maryland CB

Similar to Adebawore, Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks is looking to rise up draft boards. His performance at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine may have solidified his continued rise during the draft process. His 4.35-second 40-yard dash was tied for third best among cornerbacks at this weekend’s event.

Add in his vertical jump (42’’) and broad jump (11’4’’), and Banks finished with the best overall athletic score of cornerbacks for the 2023 Scouting Combine. Next Gen Stats credited Banks with an overall athletic score of 98. Combine his speed with his measured height and weight, and this cornerback will fit what many teams are looking for as an athlete at this position of need.

Kelee Ringo- Georgia CB

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Not needing to see his stock rise like Banks, Georgia’s Kelee Ringo was looking to prevent a possible slide down draft boards. During the college football regular season, Ringo was usually the first cornerback off the board in mock drafts. But now, he is a fringe first-round pick for most people in mock drafts. Ringo did well to prevent any additional looming questions being added to his athleticism.

His 40-yard dash time was a hair shy of Banks’ time (4.36 seconds). He may not have blown the broad jump (10’2’’) or vertical jump (33.5’’) out of the water. However, Ringo was still adequate in those areas. His size at 6’2’’ and 207 pounds should not hurt him, either. If anything, Ringo’s stock got a win this weekend, by not creating more doubt surrounding his athletic testing.

Nolan Smith- Georgia EDGE

Let’s stick with another Georgia Bulldogs defender. Nolan Smith officially clocked in at 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash. His speed and quickness was seemingly undeniable on film. However, the explosiveness that he showed, while covering ample amounts of ground immediately, confirmed how electric Smith can be.

He is a unique EDGE defender who is a bit smaller than most. Of course, that speed kills against offensive tackles of any kind. Smith may have possibly locked up a first-round grade with his overall athleticism.

Brandon Hill- Pitt SAF

Brandon Hill was rumored to be a sharp athletic tester. Yet, seeing him confirm those rumors was vital for the Pitt product. He is one of those defensive backs that relies heavily on his instincts and reads in coverage. Thankfully for Hill, his athletic testing was adequate at the 2023 Scouting Combine. His 40-yard dash time was officially 4.43 seconds. That was the best time for safeties at this year’s Scouting Combine.

Moreover, his broad jump (10’3’’) and vertical jump (35.5’’) should also make teams feel more comfortable about his athleticism. For a player that does not rely on that side of his game much, perhaps Hill helped his stock a bit.

Julius Brents- Kansas State CB

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Kansas State cornerback Julius Brents already has the length, height and weight to excel as a press man coverage corner. With the Wildcats in 2022, he continued to improve as the season got deeper. It was simply remarkable to see him constantly step up against the best competition that the wide open Big 12 had to offer. To see him thrive in athletic testing from a sufficient standpoint, Brents continues to become well-rounded in a deep cornerback class.

Brents was best at the Scouting Combine among this year’s cornerbacks in the 3-cone drill (6.63 seconds). His 41.5-inch vertical jump only trailed the aforementioned Banks at the position. That result was obviously otherworldly, as was his broad jump (11’6’’). Brents led all cornerbacks in the broad jump for the 2023 Scouting Combine. All-time, only Byron Jones (12’3’’) from UConn finished better among cornerbacks in NFL history.

Jack Campbell- Iowa LB

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Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell is a bit of a challenging projection to the NFL level. He was not asked to cover much for the Hawkeyes. Though, Campbell is a smart player that offers reactionary quickness. It is not like he was expected to be historically bad with his athletic testing. But, Campbell entered the Scouting Combine with complete unknown projections for his on-field drills.

His 6.74-second result in the 3-cone drill was best among the linebackers at this year’s Scouting Combine. Elsewhere, Campbell finished second among linebackers in the broad jump (10’8’’). In the end, Next Gen Stats mentioned that he is the only linebacker since 2003 to measure in over 6’4’’, jump more than 37’’ in the vertical jump, 10’8’’ in the broad jump and run a sub-4.70-second 40-yard dash. For holding little expectations with his athletic testing, Jack Campbell turned some heads.

Evan Hull- Northwestern RB

Northwestern running back Evan Hull may not be one of the top running backs off the board in April. Nevertheless, the rusher continues to take advantage and stake his claim when given the opportunity. Hull had a fair showing at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl. And at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, he once again made a name for himself.

Hull measured in at 5’10” and 209 pounds. For his size, a 4.47-second 40-yard dash is pretty reasonable. It was even more encouraging to see his results in some other athletic testing areas. Hull’s 37-inch vertical jump was tied for fifth among running backs at the 2023 Scouting Combine. Finally, his 10’3” broad jump was only four inches off of the running back lead from this weekend.

Be on the lookout for more FPC NFL articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.