INDIANAPOLIS — He couldn’t deliver a dominant junior season at South Carolina, he couldn’t get on the same page as coach Steve Spurrier, and he still can’t shake the concerns about his work ethic.
But boy, can Jadeveon Clowney run. And that means he can still make scores of NFL scouts salivate later this week.
“From a physical skill set,” said NFL.com draft analyst Mike Mayock, “this kid is as freaky as they come.”
And the freakiest players are often the stars of the NFL scouting combine, which kicks off in Indianapolis on Thursday. It’s an event built to showcase players such as Clowney, with league execs studying more than 300 prospects in a series of drills on the Lucas Oil Stadium turf.
Football is about far more than athleticism, but a super-fast 40-yard dash time or a Herculean bench press can elevate a player in scouts’ eyes. Scouts talk of intangibles, but they’ve never been able to ignore workout warriors.
A year ago, Marquise Goodwin, who had never caught more than 33 passes in a season at the University of Texas, ran a 4.27-second 40, and the Buffalo Bills chose him in the third round. And 19 years ago, Boston College’s Mike Mamula wowed everyone with a 4.58-second 40, 28 bench-press reps at 225 pounds and a 38-inch vertical leap, so good that the Eagles passed on Canton-bound Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks to take the defensive end seventh overall in the 1995 NFL draft.
Clowney, a 6-6, 274-pound bundle of explosiveness, could easily stun in defensive line drills on Sunday, possibly establish himself as the finest player in this draft class. Last spring, he reportedly ran a 4.58 40 at South Carolina. And before all that, he jumped into the spotlight in the 2012 Outback Bowl, thwacking Michigan’s Vincent Smith so hard that the running back’s helmet was thrown five yards.
“If you want to compare him to (Buffalo Bills defensive end) Mario Williams, I think he’s a better football player with more upside than when Mario came out of college,” Mayock said, recalling the top pick in the 2006 draft.
But, that “freaky” ability translated into just three sacks this season, and Clowney’s effort has been questioned. Spurrier told the NFL Network that Clowney’s practice habits were “pretty good,” then added that they didn’t compare to those of ex-Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore.
“Does he become the best player in football,” Mayock asked, “or is he just going to be happy to be a millionaire?”
GUYS WITH SOMETHING TO PROVE
Jadeveon Clowney doesn’t truly need to prove his athleticism, but several other prospects do. Here’s a look at some of the players who will be fighting for their NFL draft lives this week.
Michael Sam, Missouri, DE
Even before Sam’s groundbreaking revelation, he faced an uphill battle as a 256-pound lineman who must likely shift to linebacker. Solid three-cone and short shuttle times will show he can make transition.
Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville, QB
Johnny Manziel is the intriguing super-athlete in this QB class, and Blake Bortles is the strong-armed passer, but Bridgewater lies somewhere in between. A solid 40 will cement him as an underrated athlete.
Brandin Cooks, Oregon State, WR
At 5-10, Cooks lacks the monstrous frame of the other WRs in this deep class, but he still racked up 128 catches. He’ll need to prove his speed and suddenness with a standout 40 and solid short shuttle.
Ka’deem Carey, Arizona, RB
Another undersized player, Carey weighed less than 200 pounds in college yet hopes to project as a bell cow running back. To do that, he’ll need to show breakaway speed in the 40, or show he’s added weight.
Bishop Sankey, Washington, RB
Rushed for 1,870 yards as a junior and has prototypical RB size. Could leap to head of RB class if he shows solid hands in passing drills and delivers a solid 40 time.
COMBINE DRILLS RUNDOWN
You know all about the 40-yard dash, but that’s just one of the drills that prospects battle through at the Scouting Combine. Here’s a look:
DRILL: 40-yard dash
Prospect runs straight ahead, and is timed at 10-, 20- and 40-yard intervals. 10-yard splits are critical for linemen, while scouts expect skill players to have solid 40-yard times. Skill players should run between 4.4 and 4.6 seconds. A solid 10-yard split is indicative of a player who can burst out of the blocks at the line of scrimmage.
COMBINE RECORD: Bo Jackson, 4.12 seconds, 1986
DRILL: Vertical leap
A two-legged vertical jump that showcases lower-body strength and power. Key for receivers, tight ends and cornerbacks. 25-30 inches is good for linemen, 35 and above for skill guys
COMBINE RECORD: Gerald Sensabaugh, 46 inches, 2005
DRILL: Broad jump
From a standstill, prospect jumps forward as far as possible. The leap measures lower-body strength and power. Landing (prospects cannot fall forward or back) demonstrates core strength and hip flexibility. Anything beyond 10 feet is considered excellent. Important for skill position players and linebackers.
COMBINE RECORD: Jamie Collins, 11-7, 2013
DRILL: Short shuttle
Player starts in three-point stance, runs five yards to one side, sprints back 10 yards to the other, then bursts five yards back to the other side. Measures ability to move laterally and change direction quickly and is critical for linebackers and safeties. Also showcases hip flexibility, important for corners. An impressive time is 4.2 seconds.
COMBINE RECORD: Kevin Kaspar, 3.73 seconds, 2001
DRILL: Three-cone drill
Three cones are placed five yards apart in an L-shape. Prospect runs five yards to center cone, sprints back, then runs the inside of the L, loops around the final cone, then sprints the outside of the L back to the start. Showcases change-of-direction skills and simulates moves a pass-rusher may make. Critical for defensive linemen and outside linebackers.
COMBINE RECORD: Jeff Maehl, 6.42 seconds, 2011
DRILL: Bench press
Players bench 225 pounds as many times as possible. Elevating hips, performing partial reps or bouncing weight of chest does not count. Demonstrates upper-body explosion. Critical drill for linemen, who must use chest, shoulder and core power to re-route in the trenches.
COMBINE RECORD: Justin Ernst, 51 reps, 1999
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