NFL combine 2023: Georgia edge rusher runs faster 40-yard dash than Saquon Barkley, outjumps DK Metcalf

If NFL quarterbacks felt a shiver down their backbone Thursday night time, it is more than likely as a result of they watched Nolan Smith on the NFL Scouting Combine. The Georgia pass-rusher placed on a display in entrance of a big selection of the league’s evaluators, rating atop his place staff on numerous person drills. That contains the 40-yard dash. 

It was once all through that drill that Smith formally clocked in with a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash, which edged out Tennessee’s Byron Young (4.43) and fellow Bulldog Robert Beal Jr. (4.48), who have been the following quickest. According to NFL Research, Smith’s time was once the second-fastest by means of a defensive lineman in combine historical past in the back of Virginia Tech’s Amaré Barno in 2022.

What makes this run much more outstanding is that no longer most effective was once Smith’s time higher than his fellow edge rushers, however it was once higher than a trio of All-Pro avid gamers who’re these days within the league. Smith was once faster than each Arizona’s DeAndre Hopkins and Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs after they have been popping out of faculty. Diggs ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash on the 2015 combine, whilst Hopkins clocked in at 4.57 seconds, neatly in the back of Smith. Oh, and he was once additionally faster than Giants superstar operating again Saquon Barkley, who ran a 4.40. 

To upload to the hilariously rapid pace Smith was once transferring, he was once noticeably disappointed along with his effects when the unofficial timer famous he ran a 4.44, which might nonetheless be an excellent dash. When requested by means of the NFL Network’s Stacey Dales why he was once disappointed, he instructed her he “wasn’t even running full speed.” Smith additionally instructed Dales that he have been coaching within the 4.3s main as much as the combine. 

Smith additionally led his place staff within the vertical soar (41.50″) and the 10-yard cut up (1.52 seconds). At 238 kilos, he’s now the heaviest participant with a 40-plus vertical and a sub 4.40 40 on the Combine since 2003, edging out D.Ok. Metcalf in 2019.

Smith is these days CBS Sports’ sixth-ranked edge dashing prospect on this 2023 elegance and the Thirty sixth-ranked prospect general. In his most up-to-date two-round mock draft, CBS Sports Senior NFL Draft knowledgeable Ryan Wilson has Smith coming off the board at No. 32 general to the Pittsburgh Steelers.