Combine Miscellany: Talented CB Class Puts on a Show, QBs Speak, More
Day two of the NFL Scouting Combine is in the books. A loaded cornerback class put on a show on Friday. But first, the quarterbacks took the podiums in Indianapolis.
- There’s always a quarterback in the NFL Draft that’s impossible to agree on. Anthony Richardson is this year’s guy. Richardson is often referred to as a prospect with a bag full of tools, but no one can agree on how far those tools can take him. Or, more specifically, how long it will take him to figure out how to use them.
- Richardson hopes to help give us all a better idea of what he’s capable of this weekend. The Gators quarterback spoke to the media on Friday in Indianapolis and likened himself to Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson. Richardson said he grew up a Newton fan, and then Jackson when he made it to the NFL. Richardson wants to be a hybrid of the two and said he called himself ‘Cam Jackson’ in the 11th grade.
- Unlike some of the other QB prospects in the draft, Richardson said he plans to participate in all the on-field workouts: “I plan on doing everything,” Richardson said. “I trained for everything, so I’m trying to showcase what I’m able to do.”
- Richardson’s talent is undeniable. But where he fits into the first-round puzzle is still up for debate. But, I mean, look at this tape …
- Kentucky QB Will Levis won Friday’s award for the most confident (cocky?) player to take the podium. At one point in his presser that lasted less than 15 minutes, Levis said he wanted to be the greatest of all time: “Yeah, I mean, my goal is to win more than anybody,” Levis said. “I want to be the greatest of all time. Like, you’re crazy if you don’t think that way.”
- When asked why Levis chose to participate in the on-field throwing drills on Saturday, Levis kept it short and matter of fact: “Because I’ve got a cannon,” Levis said, “and I want to show it off.”
- Former Georgia QB Stetson Bennett spoke to the media for the first time since he was arrested on public intoxication charges in January. Bennett acknowledged the mistake and said that he realizes that he can’t afford to make those types of mistakes.
“It was a mistake that everybody’s aware of,” Bennett said Friday in Indy. “I understand why that can’t happen. I’ve talked to coaches about it, talked to GMs. Apologized to my family. That’s who I feel worst about. I felt like I let them down, because no matter where I go now — and even without all of this — I’ve got an obligation. I’m the fourth (Bennett named Stetson). Can’t do that if your last name is Bennett, and I know better.”
- Bennett is already facing an uphill battle, seen by most as a backup quarterback prospect despite leading the Georgia Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships.
- In the on-field drills, Michigan cornerback DJ Turner II stole the show in the first hour of testing. Turner was clocked in at 4.27 on his first 40-yard dash attempt.
- Turner opted not to run the 40-yard dash a second time, instead sticking with the unofficial 4.27 40-yard dash time. For about an hour, we all waited anxiously for the official time announcement. On Thursday, the unofficial and official times were .04-.05 seconds faster in a few cases. That would have had Turner flirting with the NFL Combine record.
- While Turner’s blazing 40 was impressive, he’s not one of the handfuls of cornerbacks expected to be selected in the first round in April.
- Illinois’ Devin Witherspoon said he was the best cornerback in the draft, but he couldn’t show it as he skipped the on-field workouts. Witherspoon opted to work out at his pro day next week instead.
- Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, Penn State’s Joey Port Jr., and Georgia’s Kelee Ringo did work out. All of them looked sharp in the on-field portions.
- Illinois safety Jartavius Martin also had an impressive afternoon in Indianapolis. Martin posted a combine-best 44″ vertical and then ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, which ranked third among safeties.
- The combine continues tomorrow afternoon in Indianapolis. The quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends will be in action tomorrow beginning at noon.
