The 40-yard dash tends to be one of the more overrated drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, especially when it comes to defensive linemen who rarely run more than 10 yards in a given play.
It’s obviously not a requirement for an edge rusher or interior lineman to run like a track star, but it doesn’t hurt as NFL teams are obsessed with speed. On Thursday, on-field drills began at the combine, with defensive linemen and linebackers kicking things off.
Georgia’s Nolan Smith and Tennessee’s Byron Young each turned in blazing 40 times. Check out the best performances from Thursday’s action below.
DL Nolan Smith - Georgia
4.44u@GeorgiaFootball DL Nolan Smith is out of this world.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/L8ICkVQEkT— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023
DL Byron Young - Tennessee
These edge rushers are flying.@Vol_Football's Byron Young with a speedy 4.51u.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/9Ty9agdnZz— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023
LB Owen Pappoe - Auburn
Owen Pappoe was feeling it after running a 4.46u. 😜 @AuburnFootball
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/LEgF4eCzfz— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
DL YaYa Diaby - Louisville
Watch this takeoff by @LouisvilleFB DL YaYa Diaby. 🔥
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/0LZXakhHXZ— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023
DL Adetomiwa Adebawore - Northwestern
.@NUFBFamily DL Adetomiwa Adebawore is 280 pounds running a 4.54u.
Wow. @tomiwabawore
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/bbFHjvHvqY— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023
LB Trenton Simpson - Clemson
These guys just move so quick.
Trenton Simpson out of @ClemsonFB with a 4.5u.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/lPybZVr9Tx— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
DL Robert Beal Jr. - Georgia
.@GeorgiaFootball DL Robert Beal Jr. with a speedy 4.58u on his first run.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/GIIAZBrigj— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023
DL Calijah Kancey - Pittsburgh
Calijah Kancey ran an official 4.67 40-yard dash; fastest by a DT since ‘03. I just spoke w/ @Pitt_FB Co-DC & DL @CoachPartridge who said:
“None of us were surprised by Calijah’s speed. That combined with his athleticism will translate at the next level.” pic.twitter.com/FkCl29fLDe
— Dave Sulfaro (@DaveSulfaro) March 2, 2023
DL Lukas Van Ness - Iowa
There goes Hercules.@HawkeyeFootball DL @lukas_vanness with a 4.64u.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/o8Hn9QfPmZ— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023
LB D.J. Johnson - Oregon
.@oregonfootball LB DJ Johnson with the 4.55u!
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/u0ul94tCEM— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
LB Will Anderson - Alabama
Will Anderson Jr. with a 4.69u on his first run. @AlabamaFTBL
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/9fc737PfB2— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
LB DeMarvion Owershown - Texas
.@TexasFootball LB DeMarvion Overshown was moving on his first 40.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/8SSQsDwOzR— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
DL Isaiah Foskey - Notre Dame
Isaiah Foskey can SCOOT. 🛴@NDFootball | @IFoskey
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/3xOSj8bQsX— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023
