How local players fared at the 2016 NFL Combine


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Over this weekend, NFL draft hopefuls have been run through various tests to measure their strength, speed and explosiveness at the NFL combine. Numerous players from local colleges were invited and competed in the combine, trying to boost their draft stock. Here's the numbers they posted on the different tests and some analysis of how well they performed.

Bronson Kaufusi, BYU, DE

40-yard dash: 4.87 seconds

Bench-press reps: 25

Vertical jump: 30 inches

Broad jump: 111 inches

3-cone drill: 7.03 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.25 seconds

Analysis: According to an NFL scout, "someone will take (Kaufusi) higher than they should when he tests out at the combine." The sentiment is that Kaufusi would test very well. This prediction didn't come to full fruition as he was middle-of-the-pack on most measures, but Kaufusi did post explosive 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle times.

James Cowser, Southern Utah, DE

40-yard dash: 4.82 seconds

Bench-press reps: 21

Vertical jump: 31.5 inches

Broad jump: 111 inches

3-cone drill: 6.80 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.31 seconds

Analysis: Coming from an FCS school, Cowser did not get much publicity throughout his collegiate career. But during the 2015 season, he was one of the most prolific pass-rushers in the FCS and gained attention from NFL scouts. However, NFL.com says Cowser has a "lack of twitch and explosiveness." While he did not overwhelmingly prove that belief to be untrue, he was at least average on most measures and was a top performer in the 3-cone drill.

Utah running back Devontae Booker responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Feb. 25, 2016, in Indianapolis. (Photo: Darron Cummings, AP)
Utah running back Devontae Booker responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Feb. 25, 2016, in Indianapolis. (Photo: Darron Cummings, AP)

Devontae Booker, Utah, RB

40-yard dash: Did not participate

Bench-press reps: 22

Vertical jump: Did not participate

Broad jump: Did not participate

3-cone drill: Did not participate

20-yard shuttle: Did not participate

Analysis: Booker did not participate in most of the tests due to recovering from an injury. The concern with him is that he doesn't seem to have big-play producing speed. By not participating in the various tests, he did nothing to dispel that notion. Booker's 22 reps on the bench-press was slightly above average, though, and he will get a chance to prove how athletic he is during his pro day.

Jason Fanaika, Utah, DE

40-yard dash: 4.92 seconds

Bench-press reps: 23

Vertical jump: 35.5 inches

Broad jump: 113 inches

3-cone drill: 7.06 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.39 seconds

Analysis: NFL.com says Fanaika is a "slow twitch player with below average change of direction in space." He did a good job disputing this scouting report as he posted the second-best vertical jump for defensive linemen and also put up good numbers in the 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. Overall, a very good showing for the former Ute.

Jared Norris, Utah, LB

40-yard dash: 4.80 seconds

Bench-press reps: 19

Vertical jump: 29.5

Broad jump: 114 inches

3-cone drill: Did not participate

20-yard shuttle: 4.52 seconds

Analysis: NFL.com's evaluation of Norris says he has "very average chase speed" and "struggles to gather and make sudden change in direction in space." Unfortunately, Norris didn't do much to disprove this assessment. On most of the tests, he was below average and scored third-to-last on the 20-yard shuttle. Overall, it was not a great showing for him.

Gionni Paul, Utah, LB

40-yard dash: 5.05 seconds

Bench-press reps: 22

Vertical jump: 31 inches

Broad jump: 113 inches

3-cone drill: Did not participate

20-yard shuttle: Did not participate

Analysis: According to NFL.com, Paul is "not overly athletic." That appeared to be true during his combine. Paul posted the slowest time on the 40-yard dash of any participating linebacker, and above-average with 22 reps on the bench-press. His other scores were around average.

Former Utah State linebacker Kyler Fackrell. (Photo: Jeff Hunter, Deseret News)
Former Utah State linebacker Kyler Fackrell. (Photo: Jeff Hunter, Deseret News)

Kyler Fackrell, Utah State, LB

40-yard dash: 4.72 seconds

Bench-press reps: 15

Vertical jump: 34.5 inches

Broad jump: 121 inches

3-cone drill: Did not participate

20-yard shuttle: Did not participate

Analysis: According to NFL.com, Fackrell has "premium length and athleticism." Fackrell's 40-yard dash time was a little above average, and he came in sixth out of 32 participating linebackers on the vertical jump. He finished second to last on the bench-press.

Hunter Sharp, Utah State, WR

40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds

Bench-press reps: 12

Vertical jump 32.5 inches

Broad jump: 116 inches

3-cone drill: 7.12 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.19 seconds

60-yard shuttle: 11.4 seconds

Analysis: According to NFL.com, Sharp "can ruin a cornerback's entire day with his speed." Perhaps it was an off day for Sharp, then, because he did not have a particularly good showing at the combine. He was middle-of-the-pack or lower on most measures. His 40-yard dash in particular wasn't overly impressive. Sharp did put up decent times in the 20-yard and 60-yard shuffles, however.

Nick Vigil, Utah State, LB

40-yard dash: 4.72 seconds

Bench-press reps: Did not participate

Vertical jump: 31.5 inches

Broad jump: 115 inches

3-cone drill: 6.73 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.00 seconds

Analysis: According to NFL.com, a knock against Vigil is his lack of athleticism. He dispelled some of that talk at the combine. On the 40-yard dash and jumping measures, Vigil was a little above average. However, he was very explosive in the 3-cone and 20-yard shuttle drills. His scores on those two measures may turn some heads and improve his draft stock.

The combine concludes on Monday, with defensive backs and safeties being evaluated. KSL.com will update the local players' performances after the tests are concluded.


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About the Author: Dylan Cannon ------------------------------

Dylan Cannon is a regular KSL.com contributor and can be reached at DylanCannon86@gmail.com or via twitter @DylanCannon11.

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