Some clear winners, losers at 2022 NFL scouting combine

Thibodeaux told teams he’d do the linebacker and defensive end drills, but elected to leave when he found out they were spaced far apart. Teams were informed that he’ll do the drills at Oregon’s Pro Day. Thibodeaux came off confident, calling himself “smart,” and said he was “Jadeveon Clowney II” during his media session. He may have turned a few teams off as self-absorbed. However, Thibodeaux did lift 225 pounds, 27 times, which was first in the defensive end group. He also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58, the fifth-fastest time.

Here are the other winners and losers from the combine and a look at most of the locals who participated and completed some of the drills:

WINNERS

Jordan Davis, 6-6 1⁄2, 341, DT, Georgia: In addition to running faster than some running backs, he was fluid throughout his drills. Davis said his average playing weight was 350 pounds last season at Georgia and that he planned to play at 330 in the NFL. He only played 18% of third downs at Georgia, according to profootballfocus.com.

Devonte Wyatt, 6-3, 304, DT, Georgia (Towers HS): He had the fastest time of the defensive tackles in the 40-yard dash. He ran it in 4.77. He didn’t hurt his first-round status.

David Ojabo, 6-4, 250, DE, Michigan: He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.55 and is considered to have a bigger upside than Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson. Teams are intrigued by this late-comer to football. “You can ask anybody in the building you see about his special talent,” Michigan defensive tackle Chris Hinton said. “From Day 1, it was just him getting comfortable with football. He’s grown so fast. His grit, his grind, his determination for the game. I know it’s been there since Day 1. So to see him flourish like he did this past year, it was like everybody was like, ‘We told you so.’ We knew it was going to happen. He’s a monster.”

Desmond Ridder, 6-3 ½, 211, QB, Cincinnati: Ridder was the most athletic of the quarterbacks as Liberty’s Malik Willis didn’t work out. He was first in the group in the 40-yard-dash (4.52), vertical jump (36 inches), and broad jump (10-7). Ridder also showed off some flashy footwork during the drills.

Malik Willis, Liberty, 6-foot-0 1⁄2, 219, QB, Liberty: He didn’t work out but showed some accurate deep-ball passing. He will complete his scripted drills at Liberty’s Pro Day on March 22.

LOSERS

Kyren Williams, 5-9, 194, RB, Notre Dame: He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65.

Kenny Pickett, 6-3, 217, QB, Pittsburgh: His hands measured 8.5 inches, a full inch under the desirable measure of 9.5 inches.

Dameon Pierce, 5-9 1⁄2, 218, Florida (Bainbridge HS): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59. He could slip to the third day of the draft. He did flash pass-catching ability at Florida and at the combine.

Myjai Sanders, 6-5 ¼, 228, DE, Cincinnati (Camden County HS): He showed up 14 pounds lighter than he was at the Senior Bowl perhaps trying to improve his speed and explosion numbers. For teams that want him between 250 and 260 pounds, they now have a red flag. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67.

LOCALS

George Pickens, 6-foot-3 1⁄4, 195, WR, Georgia: Ran a strong 4.47 in the 40-yard dash, had a 33-inch vertical jump and 10-4 broad jump. Still recovering from right knee (ACL) surgery in March.

Jelani Woods, 6-7, 259, TE, Virginia: Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61, the second-fastest time of the tight ends. He bench-pressed 225 pounds, 24 times, which was best of the tight ends.

Connor Heyward, 5-11, 239, TE/FB, Michigan State (Peachtree Ridge HS): He helped himself with his versatility.

Chigoziem Okonkwo, 6-foot-1 ½, 250, TE, Maryland (Hillgrove HS): He ran the fastest 40-yard dash of the day (4.52) of the tight ends. He was coached at Maryland by former NFL tight end and position coach Jimmie Johnson, the Augusta native who played at Josey High.

Zamir White, 6-0, 214, RB, Georgia: White ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4, and his broad jump of 9-11 was tops in the group. His multiple ACL injuries will be heavily scrutinized.

James Cook, 5-11, 199, RB, Georgia: He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42, had a broad jump of 10-4 and 33 inches on the vertical. He dazzled in the drills and flashed his pass-catching ability.

Tyler Goodson, 5-9, 197, RB, Iowa (North Gwinnett HS): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42.

Kingsley Enagbare, 6-4, 258, DE, South Carolina (Hapeville Charter Academy): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.87 but added an impressive 36.5-inch vertical leap.

Travon Walker, 6-5, 272, DE, Georgia (Upson-Lee HS): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.51, which was the third-fastest time in the defensive end group.

Channing Tindall, 6-2, 230, LB, Georgia: He ran a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash (third in group), had a 42-inch vertical (first) and a 10-9 broad jump (third).

Quay Walker, 6-3 ¼, 241, LB, Georgia (Crisp County HS): Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 (sixth in the group), had a 10-2 broad jump and 32-inch vertical.

Zakoby McClain, 5-11, 228, LB, Auburn (Valdosta HS): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.69, had a broad jump of 9-9 and a vertical jump of 33 inches.

Lewis Cine, 6-2, 199, S, Georgia: He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 (fifth fastest of the safeties) and has a vertical jump of 36.5 inches.

Smoke Monday, 6-2, 207, S, Auburn (Carver HS): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 (12th fastest of the cornerbacks).

Juanyeh Thomas, 6-1, 212, S, Georgia Tech: He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.55 (13th), had 17 reps on the 225-pound bench press and had a 34-inch vertical jump.

Kyle Hamilton, 6-4, 220, S, Notre Dame (Marist): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 (14th in the group) and had a 38-inch vertical (third).

Yusuf Corker, 6-0, 203, S, Kentucky (Woodland): He had a linebacker at the Senior Bowl step on his foot and it is not fully recovered, so he didn’t run. He will run at Kentucky’s Pro Day. His bench press was No. 1 with 23 reps.

Nakobe Dean, 5-11, 229, LB, Georgia: Didn’t work out. Saving it all for Georgia’s Pro Day on March 16. At his size, he must convince teams that he can cover tight ends and running backs.

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