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With the 2017 NFL draft looming in April, NFL teams got a chance to put former collegiate football players through a series of rigorous drills testing for explosiveness and power over the weekend and Monday at the NFL Combine.
Former BYU and Utah players were among the invitees as they seek to extend their playing careers.
Here is how the former local college standouts fared.
BYU
Jamaal Williams, running back
40-yard dash: 4.59 seconds
Bench press reps: Did not participate
Vertical jump: 30”
Broad jump: 123”
3-cone drill: 7.25 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.53 seconds
Analysis: As NFL.com notes, Williams is a bruiser as a back but perhaps lacks elite athleticism. His results did not necessarily change those opinions, as Williams performed average on most drills for running backs.
Harvey Langi, defensive end
40-yard dash: Did not participate
Bench press reps: 23
Vertical jump: 33”
Broad jump: 118”
3-cone drill: 7.00 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.32 seconds
60-yard shuttle: 11.83 seconds
Analysis: Langi had a strong showing overall. He finished near the top in the shuttle drills and was slightly above average on the other explosive drills. His bench press reps were on the low end. NFL.com projects him as an inside linebacker in the pros.
Utah
Brian Allen, defensive back
40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds
Bench press reps: 15
Vertical jump: 34.5”
Broad jump: 117”
3-cone drill: 6.64 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.34 seconds
Analysis: Allen performed average on most of the drills for defensive backs, though he finished second on the 3-cone drill. NFL.com suggests that Allen is not ready for pro football based on his technique deficiencies, but his size and athleticism might make a team take a chance on him.
Isaac Asiata, offensive guard
40-yard dash: 5.34 seconds
Bench press reps: 35
Vertical jump: 25½”
Broad jump: 102”
3-cone drill: 7.83 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.93 seconds
Analysis: Asiata was middle of the pack or lower on the drills designed to test explosiveness. This is unsurprising, as NFL.com notes that Asiata is not known as a tremendous athlete but is getting looks from NFL teams based on his toughness and nastiness as a lineman. He finished as the top performer in the bench press drills for linemen at the combine.
Garett Bolles, offensive tackle
40-yard dash: 4.95 seconds
Bench press reps: Did not participate
Vertical jump: 28”
Broad jump: 115”
3-cone drill: 7.29 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.55 seconds
Analysis: Bolles turned a lot of heads at the combine with his outstanding performance. He was graded as a top performer for offensive linemen in all explosive drills except the vertical jump. Not performing in the bench press might have hurt him a little, as NFL.com acknowledges there are questions about his strength.
J.J. Dielman, center
40-yard dash: Did not participate
Bench press reps: 27
Vertical jump: Did not participate
Broad jump: Did not participate
3-cone drill: Did not participate
20-yard shuttle: Did not participate
Analysis: Dielman is coming off a leg injury that ended his 2016 campaign after just five games. The center did not participate in explosive drills. He finished sixth among linemen in bench press reps.
Pita Taumoepenu, defensive line
40-yard dash: 4.67 seconds
Bench press reps: 24
Vertical jump: 28.5”
Broad jump: 112”
3-cone drill: 6.91 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.33 seconds
Analysis: Taumoepenu had a decent showing overall. He did well on the 3-cone drill, in particular, and performed middle of the pack otherwise. NFL.com brought up issues about his strength, but he held his own, performing average for defensive linemen in the bench press.
Sam Tevi, offensive tackle
40-yard dash: 5.27 seconds
Bench press reps: 15
Vertical jump: 26”
Broad jump: 107”
3-cone drill: 7.84 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.60 seconds
Analysis: There were a lot of questions about Tevi’s ability to play at the next level, and his combine results probably did not help his stock much. He finished around the middle or lower in most explosive drills and was tied for the worst output on the bench press.
Joe Williams, running back
40-yard dash: 4.41 seconds
Bench press reps: 14
Vertical jump: 35”
Broad jump: 125”
3-cone drill: 7.19 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.19 seconds
Analysis: Williams earned a top performer grade from NFL.com on the 40-yard dash and the 20-yard shuttle. He was average to slightly above average on other explosive drills. His bench press reps were on the low end for running backs. According to NFL.com, the biggest concerns about Williams regard his character, as he was kicked out of UConn for theft and “retired” from the Utes in 2016 for a few games. Perhaps a team from “Colorado” will take a chance on him, however.
Marcus Williams, safety
40-yard dash: 4.56 seconds
Bench press reps: 14
Vertical jump: 43.5”
Broad jump: 129”
3-cone drill: 6.85 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.20 seconds
60-yard shuttle: 11.26 seconds
Analysis: NFL.com stated before the combine that Williams has great athleticism, especially as a jumper. He did not disappoint in that regard, as he was a top performer in both the vertical jump and broad jump for safeties. A strong showing for Williams today.
Dylan Cannon is a regular KSL.com contributor and can be reached at DylanCannon86@gmail.com or via Twitter @DylanCannon11.
