Top 5 Big Ten Performances in day two of the NFL Combine
NFL Combine Day Two Electric Boogaloo!
The first day of action saw some incredible performances. It just seems like defensive linemen are getting freakier and freakier as athletes with each passing year. It is personally one of my favorite nights, because of the absolute absurdity in some of the numbers.
Not to be outdone by their defensive linemen counterparts, the defensive backs put on quite a show as well on the second day of drills in Indianapolis. With how well these players were testing, I’m not sure if running a fast time is even the way to stand out anymore. That is unless you take it to another level like a certain Michigan defensive back.
In today’s world, you truly need to show yourself to be a well rounded elite athlete to turn some heads, or you have to unfortunately be on the opposite end of the spectrum. Running a slower time will make you stick out like a sore thumb in the sort of weeding out process that has become the NFL Combine for defensive back prospects.
No disrespect to those players, but they are not who we are here to talk about today. This is about the superhuman feats, the elite of the elites. These are the top Big Ten performers from day two of the NFL Combine.
Also, since everyone sort of liked the concept, there will be a notable position change comp brought to you by the generator at Relative Athletic Score Football. Make sure to follow the creator of RAS on Twitter @MathBomb.
Away we go!
DJ Turner, Safety Michigan
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan safety DJ Turner quite nearly could have completed a perfect combine had he just measured slightly bigger. While he’s a tad bit undersized at 5-foot-11, 178 pounds, that doesn’t really matter when the man runs a 4.26 40-yard dash. That’s right. A 4.26. Oh yeah, he also jumped a fantastic 10’11” broad jump. Just a pure athlete.
DJ Turner the Cornerback
Credit: Relative Athletic Score.
So, if you switch Turner’s position to cornerback, his height is slightly more forgiven, boosted to a 9.61 Relative Athletic Score. That puts him close to current Cleveland Browns corner Denzel Ward. Both undersized corners with incredible athleticism.
Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback Penn State
Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK
Joey Porter Jr. was one of the players with the most eyes on him for the Combine. Boasting incredible size and NFL pedigree, Porter Jr. just needed to show that the athleticism was there.
It certainly was good enough considering just how big he is. He ran a decent enough 4.46 40-time, with a very good 1.5 10-yard split. You love seeing a 10’9″ broad jump and 17 reps on the bench press.
Standing at a little over 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 193 pounds, JPJ is going to see his name called pretty early on draft day.
Joey Pickens Jr.?
Credit: Relative Athletic Score.
Porter Jr. posted a very similar combine to current Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, though thankfully with bigger hands. While slightly smaller, they share similar athletic testing numbers.
Cory Trice Jr, Cornerback Purdue
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
So, Cory Trice Jr. wasn’t necessarily on my radar heading into the Combine, at least not on the level of some of the other corners such as Porter Jr. and Christian Gonzalez. I genuinely cannot believe the numbers that he posted, though.
Just like Porter Jr, Trice Jr. was able to run an adequate enough 40-time at 4.47. That time looks even better considering that he is legitimately over 6-foot-3! Also weighing 206 pounds, Trice Jr. is a big boy and he did indeed bench 17 reps. Oh yeah, he also jumped an 11-foot broad jump!
Trice Jr. Compared to Former Interceptions Leader
Credit: Relative Athletic Score.
This is the first time I’m going to keep a player athleticism comparison within the player’s position, because Trice Jr’s RAS is nearly identical to former Jets and Chargers corner Antonio Cromartie. Both are big, athletic corners, and, if you don’t remember, Cromartie led the league in interceptions back in 2007 with a whopping 10!
Jakorian Bennett, Cornerback Maryland
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jakorian Bennett is the first of two Maryland defensive backs to be featured on this list. The Terps boasted some serious athleticism in the secondary this year. Bennett is undersized, but elite totals in the 40-yard dash (4.3), vertical jump (40.5″), and broad jump (11’1″) more than made up for that. He finished with a 9.58 Relative Athletic Score.
Jakorian Bennett and the Dreaded Cheetah Comparison
Credit: Relative Athletic Score.
I’m sorry. You are all going to hate me for doing this, but I literally have to. Blame RAS for giving me the opportunity and Bennett for being such an athletic freak.
Everyone online hates when the Tyreek Hill player comparison is thrown out there, but, hey, I’m not suggesting that Bennett is the next Tyreek Hill! They don’t even play the same position…yet, that is! I am merely just presenting these cold hard numbers to you the viewer and saying, “Isn’t that interesting?”
Riley Moss, Cornerback Iowa
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
We told you that Riley Moss was like that! All year it was said that Iowa cornerback Riley Moss was going to tear up the Combine and that’s exactly what he did.
He ran a great 40-time at 4.45 and excelled in both jumping categories with a 39″ vertical jump and a 10’7″ broad jump. His 40-yard dash is a time he can probably still improve at his Pro Day. This man is just an overall athlete!
Riley Moss... Let's Ride!
Credit: Relative Athletic Score.
Here it is! The obligatory quarterback comparison to keep the people happy!
If you are a Denver Broncos fan, I suggest skipping this selection. The athletic comparison is to Russell Wilson.
The face of the Dangerwich and the evil alter ego of Mr. Unlimited, Russell Wilson was a bit of an anomaly coming out of the draft. He was an undersized athletic quarterback and he has similar numbers to Riley Moss.
Again, just as I said with Jack Campbell on Twitter, did anyone at Iowa even try finding out whether or not Riley Moss could throw a football?
Deonte Banks, Cornerback Maryland
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
If only Maryland corner Deonte Banks wore some taller shoes then he could’ve reached that perfect Combine mark alongside former UConn defensive back Byron Jones.
The only knock that you can have on Banks is that he’s “just” 6-foot, a statement that feels really, really weird for me to type at 5-foot-3. Everywhere else was pretty much perfect for Banks.
A 4.35 40-yard dash time with a 1.49 10-yard split. Bang!
An 11’4″ broad jump. Second best among corners!
A 42″ vertical jump. Best among corners!
Banks put on a show.
Banks Compared to a Heisman Winning Running Back
Credit: Relative Athletic Score.
One of my favorite RAS player comps is Deonte Banks to Heisman winning running back Reggie Bush. Yes, that’s right. Bush 100% won that Heisman. He was the best player in college football and you can’t take that away from him.
Both are all-around athletic freaks, though Banks does have him slightly beat in both jumping categories. I’m honestly not sure if he’s breaking off 24 bench press reps like Bush, though.
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