Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books, as the cornerback and safety 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. In case you missed it, here are my winners from Day 1.
Christian Gonzalez
Cornerback, Oregon
No surprises right here. Oregon star cornerback Christian Gonzalez entered the Scouting Combine as the most athletic player at his position in the draft and left the Scouting Combine as the most athletic player at his position. Gonzalez collected a stunning 4.38s time in the 40-yard dash and looked incredibly smooth and comfortable in every drill he took part in. As a result of that, he finished the combine with a pristine 9.99 RAS mark, which is a value that goes from 1 to 10 and should turn the athletic profile of football prospects into a precise number. Gonzalez has everything needed to become an elite NFL corner, and he backed up what he displayed on tape at the Combine.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1631762279090749442
Deonte Banks
Cornerback, Maryland
Maryland corner Deonte Banks was as good as Gonzalez on Friday as he ended up putting together a jaw-dropping Combine performance by collecting a 4.35s time on the 40-yard dash, a 42” vertical, and an 11’4” broad jump. Banks was absolutely lights-out and shined as well in the on-field drills in which he looked extremely smooth and explosive while also displaying the good instincts and ball skills he shows on tape. Banks, stock-wise, is making a strong push to find a place in the first round and his Combine performance will help him quite a lot.
https://twitter.com/BillyM_91/status/1631771026508922881
Julius Brents
Cornerback, TCU
Julius Brents has been a consistent riser throughout the whole 2022 season as he was a significant piece of a TCU side that took part in the National Championship Game. Brents was able to back up the good things displayed on tape by putting together the best mark among cornerbacks in the vertical (41.5”), the best mark among all defensive backs in the broad jump (11’6”) and 3-cone drill (6.63s). Brents now has a solid season and a phenomenal Combine performance under his belt, and even in a crowded cornerback class, he can make a push to be an early day two selection.
Jartavius Martin
Safety, Illinois
Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin ended up as the absolute star of the safety group on Friday. He collected an insane 44” mark in the vertical, which is the highest registered thus far at the Combine, and a solid 4.46s time in the 40 yard-dash. On field, exactly like on tape, and looked incredibly comfortable and natural, letting his talent do the talking. Martin, after this performance, will definitely be even one of the bigger risers, even though he wasn’t even the star of his own secondary during the season as he shared the field with Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown.
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https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1631773580701712384
Jakorian Bennett
Cornerback, Maryland
Exactly like his teammate Deonte Banks, Maryland corner Jakorian Bennett shined on Friday by collecting a 4.30s time in the 40-yard dash. Bennett collected elite marks also in the vertical and broad jump, finishing his day as one of the absolute top performers of the day. His 40-yard dash performance, in particular, proved once again his elite explosiveness and straight-line speed who can easily be seen on tape.
