The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine gets underway formally on Tuesday, February 28th. However, the athletic testing and field drills get underway on Thursday, March 2nd. The event will once again take place at Lucas oil Field in Indianapolis. Television coverage can be found on the NFL Network.
2023 NFL Scouting Combine Schedule
Thursday, 3/2/23: Edge Rushers, Defensive Line, and Linebackers
Friday, 3/3/23: Cornerbacks and Safeties
Saturday, 3/4/23: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, and Tight Ends
Sunday, 3/5/23: Running Backs, Offensive Tackles, and Interior Offensive Line
Shane P Hallam has you covered on the offensive player side of things.
2023 NFL Scouting Combine Preview: Defense
EDGE RUSHERS
Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
Drew Sanders, Arkansas
Andre Carter II, Army
Colby Wooden, Auburn
Derick Hall, Auburn
Eku Leota, Auburn
Thomas Incoom, Central Michigan
KJ Henry, Clemson
Myles Murphy, Clemson
Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan
Caleb Murphy, Ferris State
Brenton Cox, Jr., Florida
Nolan Smith, Georgia
Robert Beal Jr., Georgia
Keion White, Georgia Tech
Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
MJ Anderson, Iowa State
Will McDonald, Iowa State
Lonnie Phelps, Kansas
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
Andre Jones, Louisiana
YaYa Diaby, Louisville
Ali Gaye, LSU
BJ Ojulari, LSU
Isaiah McGuire, Missouri
Ochaun Mathis, Nebraska
Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern
Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
Zach Harrison, Ohio State
DJ Johnson, Oregon
Habakkuk Baldonado, Pittsburgh
Ikenna Enechukwu, Rice
Viliami Fehoko, San Jose State
Dylan Horton, TCU
Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
I have separated edge rushers, defensive line, and linebackers because that is the way we have them on our site. However, a lot of these guys will be mixed between the defensive line and linebacker group.
Several prospects need the Combine to elevate themselves. Some like Isaiah Foskey and Andre Carter need bouncebacks after a subpar Senior Bowl. Lukas Van Ness, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and Drew Sanders are all potential first-round selections that can improve their standings.
As always, we anxiously await who will actually work out or not. Is Tyree Wilson healthy enough to test? Will we see Will Anderson on the track? How about Nolan Smith? These questions will have to wait until Thursday to have answered.
Fastest 40 Prediction:
BJ Ojulari, LSU (4.48)
DEFENSIVE LINE
Byron Young, Alabama
DJ Dale, Alabama
Nesta Jade Silvera, Arizona State
Siaki Ika, Baylor
Bryan Bresee, Clemson
Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina
Gervon Dexter, Florida
Jalen Carter, Georgia
Jaquelin Roy, LSU
Mazi Smith, Michigan
Mike Morris, Michigan
Tavius Robinson, Mississippi
Cameron Young, Mississippi State
Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma
Tyler Lacy, Oklahoma State
PJ Mustipher, Penn State
Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
Zacch Pickens, South Carolina
Tuli Tuipulotu, Southern Cal
Keondre Coburn, Texas
Moro Ojomo, Texas
Dante Stills, West Virginia
Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
Several underclassmen headline this position group and a handful of All-Star game skippers. Will we get to see Clemson’s Bryan Bresee on the field? I am anxious to see how athletic Calijah Kancey is. Mazi Smith of Michigan was tops on the Bruce Feldman Freaks list in the preseason. Will he test like it? Jalen Carter has a lot to live up to after the show Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt put on at last year’s Combine. How quick is Gervon Dexter? How strong is Siaki Ika? I can’t wait to find out!
Fastest 10 Prediction:
Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh (1.51)
Most Bench Reps Prediction:
Keondre Coburn, Texas (39)
LINEBACKERS
Henry To’o To’o, Alabama
Nick Hampton, Appalachian State
Owen Pappoe, Auburn
Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati
Trenton Simpson, Clemson
Shaka Heyward, Duke
Ventrell Miller, Florida
Isaiah Land, Florida A&M
Charlie Thomas, Georgia Tech
Cam Jones, Indiana
Jack Campbell, Iowa
Yasir Abdullah, Louisville
Micah Baskerville, LSU
Tyrus Wheat, Mississippi State
Isaiah Moore, NC State
Noah Sewell, Oregon
SirVocea Dennis, Pittsburgh
Jalen Graham, Purdue
Dee Winters, TCU
Jeremy Banks, Tennessee
DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
Dorian Williams, Tulane
Anfernee Orji, Vanderbilt
Noah Taylor, Virginia
Daiyan Henley, Washington State
Nick Herbig, Wisconsin
Testing is going to be hugely important for sorting this position out at the top. I believe Trenton Simpson is going to stay LB1. However, can Noah Sewell move laterally? Will Jack Campbell test in accordance with others from the Iowa program? Isaiah Land weighed in at 224 in Mobile. I would like to see him maintain that weight and run a fast 40. Hopefully, Owen Pappoe and Henry To’o To’o have recovered from their injuries enough to be able to test. I know Daiyan Henley and Demarvion Overshown are fast on the field. Will the stopwatch back that up?
Fastest 40 Prediction:
Demarvion Overshown, Texas (4.51)
CORNERBACKS
Eli Ricks, Alabama
Nic Jones, Ball State
Arquon Bush, Cincinnati
Lance Boykin, Coastal Carolina
Kelee Ringo, Georgia
Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Riley Moss, Iowa
Anthony Johnson Jr., Iowa State
Julius Brents, Kansas State
Carrington Valentine, Kentucky
Myles Brooks, Louisiana Tech
Kei’Trel Clark, Louisville
Mekhi Garner, LSU
Deonte Banks, Maryland
Jakorian Bennett, Maryland
Tyrique Stevenson, Miami (FL)
DJ Turner, Michigan
Terell Smith, Minnesota
Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
Cameron Mitchell, Northwestern
Cam Brown, Ohio State
Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Rezjohn Wright, Oregon State
Alex Austin, Oregon State
Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Darrell Luter Jr., South Alabama
Cam Smith, South Carolina
Darius Rush, South Carolina
Mekhi Blackmon, Southern Cal
Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford
Garrett Williams, Syracuse
Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU
Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M
Clark Phillips III, Utah
Anthony Johnson, Virginia
Chamarri Conner, Virginia Tech
The importance of Combine testing may not as important for any other position as it is for a cornerback. If you run sub 4.5, you aren’t going to be drafted high. Jaylon Jones (Texas A&M) is one I am curious to see his time. Kelee Ringo needs to do some rehab on his draft stock. Clark Phillips III, Cam Smith, Joey Porter Jr., and Christian Gonzalez all have a chance to stake their claims as first-round picks. Who is the fastest corner? I think it is going to be Riley Moss.
Fastest 40 Prediction:
Riley Moss, Iowa (4.29)
SAFETIES
DeMarcco Hellams, Alabama
Jordan Battle, Alabama
JL Skinner, Boise State
Tyreque Jones, Boise State
Daniel Scott, Cal
Rashad Torrence II, Florida
Trey Dean, Florida
Jammie Robinson, Florida State
Chris Smith II, Georgia
Gervarrius Owens, Houston
Jartavius Martin, Illinois
Sydney Brown, Illinois
Kaevon Merriweather, Iowa
Jay Ward, LSU
Jordan Howden, Minnesota
Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame
Ronnie Hickman, Ohio State
Jason Taylor II, Oklahoma State
Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State
Brandon Hill, Pittsburgh
Cory Trice, Purdue
Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
Antonio Johnson is the most intriguing name here. I have seen him in round one of mocks so I am curious to see if the testing matches the film. The versatility of Brian Branch will be on display during the field drills. Penn State players have dominated the Combine in recent years. Will Ji’Ayir Brown continue that streak? JL Skinner looks like a million bucks but will the athleticism match?
Fastest 40 Prediction:
Ja’Ayir Brown, Penn State (4.34)
Draft Countdown will have you covered each and every day of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.