On Friday, running backs, offensive linemen, and special teamers were on display at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.
While I respect the offensive line and I know games are won and lost in the trenches, let’s not kid ourselves, running backs are sexy. And that’s what we came to see.
There were 33 running backs working out for NFL scouts on Friday, including three from the Southeastern Conference.
Leonard Fournette, LSU
Fournette made headlines earlier this week when he measured in at 6-feet, 240-pounds, although as a junior he did play at 235 pounds.
The NFL Network’s Mike Mayock ranks Fournette as the no. 2 running back in this year’s draft.
Fournette displayed the speed that SEC fans saw plenty of the last three years when he ran a 4.51 in the 40-yard dash. He also recorded a 28.5-inch vertical jump. He elected not to participate in the bench press.
But if any one needs to know how powerful Fournette is, they can just ask Auburn’s defense:
Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
Kamara is an interesting prospect. At 5-foot-10, 214-pounds, Kamara does have good size, but his ability to catch the ball is what separates him from your typical running back prospect. His 40 receptions in 2016 were one less than Fournette had in his entire career.
Mayock ranks Kamara as the no. 4 running back prospect in the draft.
Kamara ran a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash, which isn’t going to win him his own island, but is as fast as he needs to be. He also did 15 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, which was near the bottom of the list.
Kamara did record a 39.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-feet-11-inch broad jump, each of which were the best among running backs.
Stanley “Boom” Williams, Kentucky
Despite measuring at just 5-foot-7, 190-pounds, Williams carried the load for the Wildcats last season, rushing for 1,170 yards and 7 touchdowns on 171 carries.
And while his size might be a red flag for many, only time will tell if he can’t be a dynamic change-of-pace back in the NFL.
CBSSports.com ranks Williams as the no. 35 running back prospect in the draft.
And Williams did what he needed to do. He ran a 4.51 40-yard dash and did 18 reps on the bench press, an impressive number for a guy his size. He also recorded a 10-feet-1-inch broad jump.
Other Noteworthy Performances
Dalvin Cook (Florida State): Mayock’s no. 1 RB, ran a 4.49 40-yard dash and did 22 reps on the bench press.
Christian McCaffery (Stanford): Mayock’s no. 3 RB, ran a 4.48 40-yard dash, but his 10 reps on the bench press were the second fewest among running backs.
T.J. Logan (North Carolina): Ran the top 40-yard dash for all running backs at 4.37 seconds.
Same Perine (Oklahoma): Did the most reps on the bench press with 30.