Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books, as the defensive lineman and linebacker groups were able to get on the field and complete their testing. Let’s then take a look at the biggest winners after what went down on Thursday:
Nolan Smith
Edge rusher, Georgia
According to NFL Network, Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith is the heaviest player to have a vertical over 40” and a 40-yard dash of less than 4.40s in NFL Combine history. I feel like that’s enough to describe Smith’s jaw-dropping performance on Thursday.
The former Bulldog, who once was the top-ranked prospect in his recruiting class, wasn’t able to improve his draft stock in 2022 because of an injury that ended his season early, but under the spotlights of the Combine, he delivered big-time. Athleticism has never been issue for Smith, who’s one of the most explosive pass rushers I’ve ever scouted, but recording a 4.39s 40 time and a 41.5” vertical jump at 238 pounds is definitely historic.
Georgia DE Nolan Smith just ran an unofficial 4.44 40-yard dash at 6'2 and 238 pounds. ??pic.twitter.com/qPR4i7B6ev
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 2, 2023
YaYa Diaby
Edge rusher, Louisville
Diaby was another absolute headliner on Thursday as he delivered a majestic 4.51s 40-time and a 1.56s 10-yard split. Diaby’s explosiveness and athleticism can easily be seen on tape, but that type of performance at 263 pounds is truly impressive. Diaby is coming off a big-time season in which he recorded 9 sacks. On Thursday, he proved once again his impressive blend of explosiveness, athleticism, and smoothness at 263 pounds that will help his stock rise.
Jack Campbell
Linebacker, Iowa
Campbell was absolutely lights-out all day and ended up being one of the biggest winners on Day 1. At 6’5”, 249 pounds, he recorded a 4.65s 40-time and an impressive 6.74s time in the 3-cone drill. Campbell is a borderline first-round talent that, on Thursday, displayed once again why he belongs to that range. He’s a phenomenal athlete who has been incredibly consistent throughout his whole college career and is easily one of the best linebackers in the 2023 draft in coverage.
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Jack Campbell Wave Drill https://t.co/MHWuDWM0CK
— Alex ? (@Dubs408) March 3, 2023
Adetomiwa Adebawore
Edge rusher, Northwestern
One of the biggest performers at the Senior Bowl has quickly become one of the biggest performers at the Combine too. Adebawore proved once again his athleticism and explosiveness seen on tape by collecting a flat-out insane time of 4.49s in the 40-yard dash at 282 pounds. Once it’s all said and done, Adebawore will probably be one of the biggest risers of the whole 2023 draft process.
Bryan Bresee
Defensive tackle, Clemson
Bresee entered the draft with quite a lot of question marks around his profile, especially because of his untapped potential and his athleticism after coming back from a tough injury that sidelined him for the whole 2021 season before coming back in 2022.
Bresee is one of the prospects with the highest ceilings in the 2023 draft, and he looked absolutely fantastic on Thursday while displaying unreal smoothness and explosiveness for his massive size. In case he slips in the draft, Bresee will make some franchise extremely happy. His pristine talent and rare physical tools are easy to see.
Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee looks amazing.
He's 100% and the injuries are clearly in the past. Tremendous combo of athleticism and power. Truly a high upside prospect.pic.twitter.com/EZyd7fNwZF
— Luca Sartirana (@SartiranaLuca) March 2, 2023
