Field Gulls
Kenneth Grant and Shemar Stewart are among several top draft picks who could solidify their stock with great showings at the NFL Combine.
We’re just under two weeks removed from the Super Bowl and we’re already one week away from the start of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where the event is usually held. The NFL really is a year-round sport to follow. In keeping with our work on prospects who could stand out at the combine, today we’ll talk about defense after previously focusing on some notable players on offense.
Let’s get to it!
Johnson had the fastest time this offseason on Michigan’s reactive plyo ladder test at 2.27 seconds. He did the 3-cone drill in 6.57 seconds, showing off his ability to change direction. For comparison, the fastest time among cornerbacks at the last combine was 6.62. Johnson’s 20-yard dash time was 4.05 seconds, which would have been third in the last two years at Indianapolis. Johnson’s broad jump was 10-8 1/2.
Farmer gained over 50 pounds during his college career. This offseason, he clocked 19.6 MPH on pads, and also power cleaned nearly 400 pounds, squatted over 600 pounds, and benched over 400. Those numbers and speed could make Farmer a player with the potential to grow on the boards after the Combine.
Burch gained over 10 pounds last offseason and maintained his athleticism. He improved his vertical jump to 35 inches and hit 20.75 MPH on GPS. Showing the explosiveness and power we saw on tape in drills, he squatted 685 pounds.
He is 6-3, 227 and has shown incredible athleticism season after season. The safety had an 11-4 long jump and a 42’ vertical jump, benched 24 reps of 225 lbs and squatted over 500 lbs, and he’s still only 20 years old.
The way he runs the field and changes direction is eye-catching on tape. That should show in his testing results and should solidify him as the No. 2 safety in the class.
Year after year, the Wolverines have produced incredibly athletic players. Names like Rashan Gary, Kwity Paye, Aidan Hutchinson and Mazi Smith were all first-round picks. Next on the list seems to be Grant, at 6-3, 350 lbs.
He’s an excellent run stopper and has a lot of potential. However, his numbers at the combine should get him called on Day 1, maybe even sooner than he deserves. He managed to run the 40-yard dash in under 5 seconds while weighing over 360 pounds. His speed is incredible, as seen on tape in Grant’s effort to chase RBs from sideline to sideline.
Carter could be the top pick in this year’s Draft. It’s no wonder he’s sometimes compared to Micah Parsons, also from PSU. His athletic potential is incredible. Even weighing 254...
