Every year, we here at BSMW scour the interlines for college football players not invited to February’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis who managed to excel at their pro days. Last year’s Combine Snubs prepped us for several New England roster additions, as Riley McCarron, Josh Augusta, Austin Carr, Caleb Kidder, Max Rich, and Jason Thompson all made notable impressions at their respective spring workouts. For a gander at last month’s Snubs Part I, you can click on here.
The top pro day scores we’ve come across this spring sit at the bottom of this column. You can see how well they compare to the best combine numbers (spoiler alert: they compare well).
As always, thank you to super scout Gil Brandt and his Twitter feed for his consistent flow of info and insight. Without him, this column doesn’t happen; or, if it does, it ends up as a much shorter, less-informed piece. Thanks also to WalterFootball.com’s Pro Day Results page and to Hero Sports for their FCS pro day updates. Lastly, if you’ve got some time to kill, the NFL has quite the entertaining Combine Top Performers page.
As of this posting, New England has eight selections in the NFL draft. You may not see many of the below snubs’ names from April 26 through April 28, but you should expect quite a few to get signed as rookie free agents shortly thereafter. On to the snubs!
OFFENSE
A Dash Of Trinnaman: BYU wide receiver Jonah Trinnaman (5-11, 192) earned the nickname Improv because his performance seemed to come out of nowhere. Trinnaman’s 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the Cougar’s pro day would have beaten everyone at this year’s combine, while his 41.5-inch vertical would have tied for best overall. But his broad jump should be forbidden from elementary school snack time because it is so nuts: 12 feet. Yup, not kidding. A 12-foot broad jump means that Trinnaman can put his toes on the four-yard line and catapult himself into the end zone. It would have bested all combine performers by eight inches. Last season, Trinnaman caught 24 passes for 305 yards (12.7 avg.) and returned 17 kicks for 332 yards (19.5 avg.).
Another Reason To Go Green: Florida State’s Ryan Green (5-10, 192) would have fared quite well among combine running backs, as his 4.41-second 40-yard dash qualified for third-best among ball-carrying attendees. Green’s 38-inch vertical jump would have placed him at sixth for running backs, while his 10-foot-2 broad jump (tied, fifth), 4.11-second short shuttle (third), and 6.90-second 3-cone drill (tied, third) all would have made top five. With a crowded backfield, Green got only slightly more time on the field than the average streaker (hey there, Matt Chatham!), but he made the most of his 13 carries with 126 yards (a whopping 9.7 avg.) and three touchdowns.
UNI-Lateral Achievement: And UNI-vertical, too, as University of Northern Iowa receiver Daurice Fountain (6-1, 204) had what would have been a combine-best 42.5-inch vertical leap at his pro day to go along with a combine-receiver-best 11-foot-2 broad jump (tied for second overall). Fountain’s 4.46-second 40 qualifies for 10th-best WR time at Indy. We mentioned Fountain as a potential Patriots draftee after his prolific East-West Shrine Game, where he led all players with 101 all-purpose yards (61 in receptions, 40 in punt returns). Fountain led the Panthers with 66 receptions for 943 yards (14.3 avg.) and 12 touchdowns.
Comins And Goins: Wide receiver Elijaah Goins (6-1, 200) out of Ohio State ran a 4.41-second 40 (tied for third-fastest receiver) and traveled 10-feet, 10 inches on his broad jump (tied for second-best WR). Goins made Academic All-Big Ten Conference in 2017 and racked up seven tackles on special teams (he did not record a catch). Sounds like a Matthew Slater type of player (receiver/special teamer), or, better yet, a Nate Ebner type of player (OSU alum/special teamer).
Boone Goes The Dynamite: Talk about explosive. Cincinnati running back Mike Boone (5-10, 205) leapt 42 inches upward and 139 inches laterally, which would have made him the loftiest combine participant in both events. That 11-foot-7 broad jump would have bested the nearest combine running back by eight inches. His 25 bench reps and his 4.45 40 both would have come in third for RBs. Boone did a bit of everything for the Bearcats in 2017, rushing 110 times for 463 yards (4.2 avg.) and four touchdowns, catching 24 passes for 177 yards (7.4 avg.) and one TD, and making the stat board in the pass, punt return, and kick return departments with one each. Overall, he had 39 kick returns in his career for a 20.4-yard average. Boone shows field vision (plus a bit of the ol’ Wildcat formation!) in these highlights.
The Good Saeed: Penn State’s Saeed Blacknail qualifies as a bigger receiver at 6-2, 208, with a 40 time (4.39, third WR) and 3-cone time (6.77, seventh WR) that both would have put him in good company among pass-catchers in Indianapolis. Last season, Blacknail caught 17 passes for 289 yards (17.0 avg.) and two TDs. He also saw time on special teams, ending up with three tackles on the season.
Nunn The Richer: Offensive lineman Beau Nunn (6-3, 304) out of Applachian State may have made himself some cash at his pro day. His 38 bench presses would have bested all offensive linemen at the combine and come in third among all participants. Meanwhile, his 5.10-second 40 and 31-inch vertical would have come in seventh and sixth among combine OLs, respectively. Nunn was voted All-Sun Belt First Team by both coaches and media after helping the Mountaineers limit opponents to eight sacks on the season. Nunn had 40 career starts at tackle and was graded as the best lineman in the conference, according to Pro Football Focus.
Like A Limestone Cowboy: Receiver Vyncint Smith (6-2, 190) out of Limestone College may have felt a bit like he was at a star-spangled rodeo at South Carolina’s pro day, but he seemed to keep any nerves in check, running a 4.36-second 40, leaping a 39.5-inch vertical, and jumping a 10-foot-10 broad (a poorly-worded phrase at best), all of which would have come in second for combine wide receivers. Smith, who wanted to be a Gamecock, instead played for the Division II Saints in Gaffney, S.C. He made All-South Atlantic Second Team with 49 receptions for 849 yards (17.3 avg.) and three touchdowns.
Somewhere Between Evan And L: Southern Methodist center Evan Brown (6-3, 312) helped the Mustangs to a 7-6 record in 2017, 6-1 at home. Brown had a solid pro day, running a 5.08 40-yard dash (top six for combine offensive linemen) and benching 36 reps (top two for OLs). Brown was named All-American Athletic Conference Honorable Mention, helping the offense make top 10 with over 40 points and top 12 with 493.8 yards per game.
Brown started at both center and right guard at SMU, a topic he elaborates on in this interview. It’s a fun watch, not only for his thoughts on changing positions, but also for the voices of his teammates in the background giving him a hard time (“Evan! You’re my hero!”).
Weber’s Wobble But They Don’t Fall Down: Tight end Andrew Vollert (6-6, 238) got snubbed by the combine but did well at Weber State’s pro day, running a 4.08 20-yard shuttle and a 6.74 3-cone, both of which would have bested all combine tight ends. His feet also proved quick in a straight line, as his 4.56 40 would have placed third among combine TEs. Vollert, an FCS All-American, had 61 receptions for 773 yards and five touchdowns.
Fun Fact: Vollert also threw two TD passes last season. You can see one of them in this highlight reel vs. Montana.
Can’t You Hear, Can’t You Hear The Thunder? When I was a lot younger, before ESPN had many of its contracts with big sports leagues, they’d often broadcast Australian Rules football. Maybe that helps explain my interest in athletes from Down Under, this particular case being Jordan Mailata, who participated in a pro day at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ facility and caught attention at his weigh-in, measuring 6-8, 346 pounds. He ran a 5.12 40 and a 4.67 20-yard shuttle. Mailata put up 22 reps on the bench, impressive considering he had to extend his 35.5-inch arms.
If you’d like to see the absurdity of Mailata playing rugby (and if you want to hear yourself say the words, “Why do they keep trying to tackle him up high?”), click on this entertaining highlight reel.
Patrick’s Day: TCU center Patrick Morris (6-2, 300) expelled doubts about his non-combine status as if they were snakes in Ireland. His 36-inch vertical leap would have come in first among offensive linemen, while his 37 bench reps would have tied for best OL, third overall. His 5.09-second 40 would have tied for sixth-fastest offensive lineman. Morris was named First-Team All-Academic Big 12 in 2017. The center has been lauded for his efforts vs. Stanford DT Harrison Phillips in the Alamo Bowl, where he held the All-American to three tackles. You can watch Morris (number 58) take on Phillips (66) here.
Fun Fact: Besides playing football at Guyer High School in Texas, Morris lettered one year in tennis, which makes me think of this ad with David Ortiz.
Blue Streveler: Though combine scouts gave him the run-around, South Dakota quarterback Chris Streveler (6-2, 209) cheered himself up with a great pro day, running a 4.45 40, a 10-5 broad jump, and a 38.5-inch vertical. Those numbers would have topped all QBs and come in top 10 for combine receivers. Streveler yoked it for the Coyotes, earning Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year with 4,134 yards and 32 touchdowns passing complemented by 720 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing. His 4,854 total yards of offense set a conference record.
Cracklin’ Acklin: Nice work by Western Illinois receiver Jaelon Acklin (6-2, 190), whose 6.65-second 3-cone drill and 38-inch vertical would have placed fourth among combine wideouts. His 4.47 40 (11th WR), and 10-3 broad jump (tied, 10th) both would have fit in nicely. Acklin led the Leathernecks with 84 catches for 1,369 yards (16.3 avg.) and 10 touchdowns. He also rushed 21 times for 255 yards (12.1 avg.) and four scores. He has quite the active highlight reel here.
Fun Fact: WIU started using “The Flying Leathernecks” as their team nickname in 1927 due to the efforts of their athletic director Ray “Rock” Hanson, a highly decorated World War I veteran of the Marine Corps. At the time, Hanson also served as the head football, basketball, and baseball coach.
Dawson’s Streak: Receiver/kick returner Khalil Dawson of Portland State showed off his quicks in front of scouts, as his 6.59 3-cone would have come in fourth among combine receivers, while his 4.07 20-yard shuttle would have tied for third-best wideout. Meanwhile, Dawson’s 4.43 40 tied for sixth receiver; his 38.5-inch vertical tied for third. With only nine catches last year, Dawson focused on returning kicks, leading the team in all-purpose yards (114.6 per game, 1,261 total) on 55 kick returns (20.1 avg., one TD) and 10 punt returns (8.8 avg.) .
Put Up Your Dukes, Part 1: Running back Shaun Wilson (5-8, 185) out of Duke delivered a 4.46 40 that, along with his 6.90 3-cone and 4.15 20-yard shuttle, would have all come in third for combine running backs. Meanwhile, his 37-inch vertical would have placed sixth, and his 17 reps on the bench would have placed 12th. Wilson earned an All-ACC Honorable Mention doing a little of everything for the Blue Devils, as he totaled 818 yards rushing on 162 carries (5.0 avg., six TDs), 263 yards receiving on 36 catches (7.3 avg., four TDs), and returned 26 kickoffs for 609 yards (23.4 avg.). His 1,697 all-purpose yards led the team.
Running Up That Hilliard: Tulane’s Dontrell Hilliard (5-11, 202) wanted scouts to see if he only could put up some running-back-friendly numbers at his pro day, including a 4.44 40 and 6.87 3-cone that both would have scored third-best among combine running backs. His 10-5 broad jump (tied, fourth-best RB) and 21 bench reps (eighth-best RB) also would have made top 10 among combine rushers. Hilliard made All-American Athletic Conference Second Team in 2017 after rushing for 1,091 yards (5.2-yard avg., 12 TDs). He also caught eight passes for 115 yards (14.4 avg.) and two touchdowns in 2017, totaling 70 receptions for 740 yards in his career.
Fun Facts: Hilliard became the first 1,000-yard rusher at Tulane since André Anderson in 2009. Matt Forte holds the school record with 2,127 in 2007. Orleans Darkwa rushed for 925 and 924 yards in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
Alexander The Pretty Darn Good: Wide receiver Deontez Alexander (6-1, 196) conquered his drills to get noticed out of Division 3 Franklin College. The receiver attended Ball State’s pro day and commandeered some eyeballs with his 4.35 40, which would have made him the second-fastest combine receiver. His 10-10 broad jump (tied for second receiver), 4.08 20-yard shuttle (fourth WR), 37.5-inch vertical (seventh WR), 15 bench reps (tied, 13th), and 6.91 3-cone (14th) all would have fit in at Indy. For the Grizzlies, Alexander caught 50 passes for 1,137 yards and 18 touchdowns in 10 games. (Makes the math easy.)
Fun Fact: Grizzlies QB Chase Burton joined his teammate at the Ball State pro day, as he is also considered a potential pro prospect. Burton led Division 3 with 3,916 passing yards and 43 TDs (again: in 10 games). He tossed at least five touchdowns in six different contests.
South Boston: Running back Boston Scott (5-7, 195) of Louisiana Tech ran a 6.66-second 3-cone that would have bested all combine backs. Scott’s 4.40-second 40 would have come in second for RBs. He also would have proven competitive with his 4.16-second 20-yard shuttle (tied, third RB) and 38.5-inch vertical (tied, fourth RB). Scott got Conference USA Honorable Mention for a team-leading 1,047 yards rushing (5.7 avg.) and eight touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 181 yards and a TD and returned 10 kicks for 183 yards.
A Dynasty Is Born? North Carolina receiver Austin Proehl (5-9, 182) ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at a previous pro day, then made like quicksilver through a 4.07 20-yard shuttle at UNC, with each of those times tying for third-fastest receiver at the combine. His 6.75 3-cone would have tied for sixth-most-squirrel-like WR. Last September, Proehl broke his clavicle and was expected to miss the rest of the season, but he returned to catch three passes for 52 yards and caught a punt vs. Western Carolina on November 18. Proehl ended up with 21 receptions for 337 yards (16.0 avg.) and one TD in six games. He also returned five punts for 49 yards (9.8 avg.)
Fun Fact: As some readers may have guessed, Austin’s father is Ricky Proehl, who played in the NFL from 1990-2006 and spent some time as a Panthers assistant coach. He’s probably most famous among Patriots fans for his February 2002 declaration of a dynasty being born.
A Boy Named Sewall: The Patriots may want to revisit Bryant College (their old summer stomping grounds) after what receiver Matt Sewall did at his pro day. The 5-9, 180-pound pass-catcher lofted himself 40.5 inches in the vertical, which would have bested all combine wide receivers and tied for seventh-best overall. Sewall also ran a 4.40 40 (third-best WR), and had a 10-4 broad jump and 6.75-second 3-cone, both tied for sixth-best WR. Sewall had 46 receptions for 502 yards and six touchdowns last season. The Bulldogs also made sure to get him the ball as a rusher (eight runs for 117 yards) and punt returner (eight for 71 yards).
Fun Fact: Sewall has already played for the Patriots – that’s his team’s mascot at Portsmouth High in Rhode Island.
DEFENSE
Calling His Buff: Oh, you don’t want to invite Colorado linebacker Derek McCartney to the combine? Fine. The 6-2, 240-pound former Buffalo had a 10-2 broad jump (tied for seventh combine linebacker) and a 6.90-second 3-cone (tied for sixth LB), along with a respectable 4.77-second 40 and 21 bench presses. McCartney had 57 tackles last season (seven for loss), five sacks, and five pass break-ups.
Fun Fact: McCartney received the Eddie Crowder Award for outstanding leadership. Starting in 1963, Crowder served as Colorado’s football coach for 11 years, then became athletic director for another 11. He died in 2008.
Putting Zaire On The Map: Linebacker Zaire Franklin (6-0, 236) of Syracuse showed noteworthy speed and strength on his pro day, sprinting a 4.58-second 40 and benching 30 reps. That 40 would have tied for sixth-fastest linebacker at the combine, while the bench would have bested everyone else at the position. Franklin made All-ACC Honorable Mention with 85 tackles (5.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, and two pass break-ups.
Fun Fact: Franklin is the first three-time captain of Syracuse football since Robert Adams from 1894-1896. So, a long time ago.
Love Is In The Air: Literally, it seems, as defender Mike Love (6-4, 248) leapt 35 inches at South Florida’s pro day, which would have made sixth-best edge rusher at the combine. Love also ran a 4.76 40-yard dash, good for 10th place, while his 7.05 3-cone would have placed fourth at the position. In 2017, Love tallied 28 tackles (11 for loss), 5.5 sacks, and three pass break-ups.
Hall Pass? Well, no, but Hall run, and Hall lift, and Hall do both very well. Sam Houston State defensive lineman P. J. Hall (6-1, 308) floored scouts like they were carpet squares at pre-school reading time, running a 4.76 40 and lifting 225 pounds 36 times. That 40 time would have come in sixth among combine D-linemen, most of whom weigh in the 270-280 range (Hall would have been the fastest 300-pounder). Hall’s 36 bench reps would have come in third, while his 38-inch vertical would have come in second among combine DLs.
First Team All-Southland Conference two years in a row, Hall had 60 tackles last season (19 for loss), six sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and four blocked kicks. In his career, Hall blocked more kicks than a muay thai fighter, notching 14 for the Bearkats. He reportedly worked out for New England.
From Dusk ‘Til Donnerson: Looks like we’ve all been sleeping on Southeast Missouri State’s Kendall Donnerson. The 6-3, 250-pound linebacker blasted a 4.43-second 40, which would have made him the fastest edge player at the combine by almost half a second. Donnerson’s 10-foot-11 broad jump also would have finished first at the position, tied for seventh of all participants. His 40-inch vertical would have been highest for an edge player, tied for ninth overall. A 7.05 3-cone would have come in fourth for edges. Donnerson had 53 tackles last year, with 13.5 of those coming for loss (including six sacks). He also had an interception, three pass break-ups, and three forced fumbles.
Bulldog Bow Wow Wows Scouts: I am a sucker for Cole Porter. Anyway, Yale pass rusher Matt Oplinger (6-2, 250) went at his pro day with dogged determination, proving he would have fit in quite well among combine edge defenders. Oplinger’s 10-foot-5 broad jump would have come in second among combine peers, while his 25 bench reps (tied, sixth) and 4.75-second 40 (10th) both would have made top 10 at the position. His 7.38 3-cone and 32-inch vertical both would have qualified for 11th-place edge. Oplinger earned First-Team All-Ivy honors with a league-leading 11.5 sacks in 2017. He had 42 total tackles (14.5 for loss) for the Ivy League Champs.
Everything Turns Gray: Things don’t seem to be as easy as they used to be, but safety J. T. Gray (5-11, 195) took advantage of Mississippi State’s pro day by performing well. Compared to combine safeties, Gray would have placed top 10 in the 20-yard shuttle (4.19, fourth), bench press (19 reps, sixth), broad jump (10-3, eighth), 40 (4.50, ninth) and 3-cone (7.03, ninth). At MSU, Gray totaled 65 tackles (three for loss), 1.5 sacks, eight pass break-ups, and one interception that he returned for a touchdown.
Fun, Wicked Cool Fact: Gray played at the hybrid linebacker/safety spot for the Bulldogs, a position that the coaches call the Viper.
The Combine Got Less When They Said No Moore: Defensive back Tarvarius Moore (6-1, 199) ran a 4.32-second 40 at Southern Mississippi’s pro day that would have tied for the fastest sprint at the combine. His 11-foot-2 broad jump would have tied for second best overall. His 39.5-inch vertical would have come in second for combine cornerbacks, sixth among safeties. Moore led the Golden Eagles last season with 87 total tackles (three for loss), with three interceptions and 10 pass break-ups.
Fun Fact: As a sophomore at Pearl River Community College, Moore averaged almost 40 yards per kick return.
How You Like Them Applewhite? Looks like they’ve been growing some athletes at Southern Mississippi. Corner (and Moore’s teammate) Jomez Applewhite (5-11, 193) jumped an 11-foot broad jump that would have made him the third-best corner in that combine category. He also jumped a 38-inch vertical (tied, fifth-best corner), ran a 4.42-second 40 (eighth-best corner) and ran solid 4.28 20-yard shuttle and 7.00-second 3-cone. At Southern Miss, Applewhite totaled 66 tackles (three for loss), one interception, and two pass break-ups.
Ferris Weal? Maybe it’s for the best that Ferris State’s Zach Sieler (6-5, 290) declared early for the draft. The two-time Division II All-American defensive lineman ran a 4.78-second 40 that would have come in sixth among defensive linemen at Indy, as would his 31 bench reps. A 7.01 3-cone would have come in second for the position, while a 9-foot-11 broad jump would have tied for fourth-best DL. Scouts always want the small school players to rack up stats at their level; Sieler did just that with a monstrous 19.5 sacks last season. He had 80 tackles (29.5 for loss), forced five fumbles, and blocked a kick.
They Put You Down, They Say I’m Wrong: Rebel, Rebel, how could they know? Well, for starters, they could’ve invited you to the damn combine. UNLV linebacker/special teamer Johnny Stanton (6-2, 240) took the snub in stride, running an acceptable 4.74-second 40 and sticking out with what would’ve been a combine-best 31 bench reps among linebackers. His 37-inch vertical (sixth) and 10-1 broad jump (eighth) both would have made top 10 for LBs.
Fun Fact: Stanton became a special teams player after losing his job as starting quarterback for the Rebels. He’s had a peripatetic career, as he played QB at Nebraska for two years (sparingly), then transferred to Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, California, where he led the team to the CC state championship. Last year he started three games for the Rebels and completed 63 percent of his passes (55 of 88) for 724 yards and four TDs (two INTs). Along with his nine tackles, he blocked a punt, and also returned one punt for 19 yards.
Fun Fact Follow-Up: The Patriots last drafted a UNLV linebacker in 2005, fifth-rounder Ryan Claridge. Nice quote from Claridge via Tom E. Curran’s old ProJo piece here.
Give This Ford A Test Drive: On his pro day, Southeast Missouri State’s Mike Ford (6-0, 194) showed some serious pickup (okay, we get it), posting a 40-inch vertical that would have placed second among combine corners and an 11-foot broad jump that would have come in third at the position. He added a thoroughly decent 4.47-second 40 (15th CB). Ford totaled 32 tackles last season (five for loss), with two sacks and one interception. He led the Redhawks with 14 pass break-ups.
High LaCouture: Defensive lineman Christian LaCouture (6-4, 293) did some solid work at LSU’s pro day, with a 5.19-second 40, 7.54-second 3-cone, and 29.5-inch vertical that would have all held their own among 300-pound DLs. LaCouture set himself apart on the bench, where his 41 reps would have tied for second-most – both among combine defensive linemen and overall. LaCouture missed all of his senior year in 2016 with a knee injury and redshirted. He came back and showed steady improvement throughout this past season, ending up with 66 tackles, six sacks, and five passes defensed.
Fun Fact: LaCouture’s father David played hockey for the Maine Black Bears national championship squad in 1993. How ’bout that, Chad Finn?
Put Up Your Dukes, Part 2: Blue Devils defensive lineman Mike Ramsay (6-2, 300) flashed fast feet at his pro day, as he ran a 4.89 40 that would have come in 10th among combine DLs, notable for a 300-pounder. Even more impressive was his 6.90 3-cone: that would have come in second behind the 6.84 mark of 265-pounder Sam Hubbard from Ohio State. Ramsay’s 4.53 20-yard shuttle would have come in 11th. As a team captain in 2017, Ramsay totaled 43 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He also blocked two kicks.
Eventually, We Got Into Brown: Linebacker Asantay Brown of Western Michigan will switch to safety in the NFL. Though this change comes partly due to his size (not a lot of six-foot, 215-pound ‘backers at this level), it’s also due to his athletic ability to keep up in the defensive backfield. Both of his quickness numbers (4.19 20-yard shuttle, 6.86 3-cone) would have placed fourth for combine safeties. Brown’s 38-inch vertical would have come in sixth at the position, while his 10-8 broad jump would have come in eighth. In 2017, he made All-Mac Third Team as an outside linebacker, leading the Broncos with 98 tackles (6.5 for loss), with three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception.
Right On Q: Ohio University linebacker Quentin Poling (6-0, 235) stepped onto the stage and put up combine-worthy pro day numbers. Poling’s 4.58-second 40 would have tied for sixth-fastest linebacker. His 10-7 broad jump (third-best linebacker), 4.22-second 20-yard shuttle (fourth linebacker), 24 bench reps (fifth LB), 6.88 3-cone (tied, fifth), and 38-inch vertical (sixth LB) all would have made top six for ‘backers in Indy. Poling, a Bobcats team captain, made First-Team All-MAC for the second year in a row. He tallied 107 tackles in 2017 (12.5 for loss), with 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and four pass break-ups.
A True D-Liner: Okay, his full name is Davion, but D-lineman Dee Liner got some notice at Arkansas State’s pro day (and not just for a name that fits quite well in this column). The 6-2, 337-pound wrecking ball ran a 5.02-second 40, impressive given his size. Liner made All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention in 2017, with 24 tackles (six for loss) and a blocked kick for the Red Wolves.
Thus endeth this year’s tally of snubs. Hope you enjoyed them, and hope to see many of them resurfacing on NFL rosters this summer.
Please stay tuned for our final pre-draft “That Guy” review of the types of players the Patriots have taken and could pick beginning April 26. For a gander at our most recent “That Guy” column (post-combine edition), please click here.
TOP COMBINE VS. SNUB RESULTS (Combine in Italics)
40-Yard Dash
4.27 seconds – Jeff Badet, Oklahoma WR
4.28 seconds – Jonah Trinnaman, BYU WR
4.32 seconds – Donte Jackson, LSU CB
4.32 seconds – Keion Crossen, Wake Forest CB; Tarvarious Moore, Southern Mississippi DB
4.35 seconds – J. J. Jones, West Georgia WR; Deontez Alexander, Franklin College WR
4.36 seconds – Vyncint Smith, Limestone WR
Bench Press
42 reps – Harrison Phillips, Stanford DT
41 reps – Christian LaCouture, LSU DL
38 reps – Beau Nunn, Appalachian State OL
37 reps – Patrick Morris, TCU OL
Vertical Jump
42.5 inches – Daurice Fountain, Northern Iowa WR
42 inches – Mike Boone, Cincinnati RB
41.5 inches – Terrell Edmunds, Virginia Tech S; Jonah Trinnaman, BYU WR
41 inches – Ronnie Scott, Alabama State CB
40.5 inches – Matt Sewall, Bryant College WR
40 inches – Justin Watson, Penn WR; Mike Ford, Southeast Missouri DB; Kendall Donnerson, Southeast Missouri DE
Broad Jump
12 feet – Jonah Trinnaman, BYU WR
11-foot-7 – Mike Boone, Cincinnati RB
11-foot-4 – Denzel Ward, Ohio State CB
11-foot-2 – Daurice Fountain, Northern Iowa WR; Tarvarious Moore, Southern Mississippi DB
3-Cone Drill
6.28 seconds – Jordan Thomas, Oklahoma CB
6.59 seconds – Kahlil Dawson, Portland State WR
6.65 seconds – Jaelon Acklin, Western Illinois WR
6.66 seconds – Boston Scott, Louisiana Tech RB
6.67 seconds – Keion Crossen, Wake Forest CB
20-yard Shuttle
3.94 seconds – Grant Haley, Penn State CB; Jordan Thomas, Oklahoma CB
4.07 seconds – Kahlil Dawson, Portland State WR
4.08 seconds – Deontez Alexander, Franklin College WR
4.11 seconds – Ryan Green, Florida State RB
Chris Warner vaguely remembers jumping a 24-inch vertical and not being all that disappointed. You can email him at chris.warner@patriotsdaily.com or tweet @cwarn89.
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