Cincinnati’s Kelce tops among O-linemen in 40
Published: February 26th, 2011 | Tags: Jason Kelce, 2011 NFL Scouting Combine, Caleb Schlauderaff, Danny Watkins, Derek Sherrod, John Moffit, Maurice Hurt, Mike Pouncey, Nate Solder, Rich Lapham, Tyron Smith, Will Rackley
INDIANAPOLIS — The second group of offensive linemen completed running drills Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium, and the official times are out.
The best time of the two groups came from Cincinnati center Jason Kelce, who posted a 4.93-second 40-yard dash. Syracuse center Ryan Bartholomew, who topped the first group, finished second overall at 4.97.
Among the highly touted linemen who ran with the second group, Florida center Mike Pouncey, the top interior lineman according to NFL Network’s Mike Mayock and NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks, ran in 5.28 seconds. Colorado OT Nate Solder continued to show his athleticism with a time of 5.05, followed by Mississippi State OT Derek Sherrod (5.28), Baylor OT Danny Watkins (5.40) and Wisconsin guard John Moffitt (5.55).
Six linemen in Group 2 didn’t run: Florida guard Maurice Hurt (right MCL tear), Villanova OT Ben Ijalana (bilateral sports hernia), Boston College OT Rich Lapham (left knee), Lehigh OT Will Rackley (left hip flexor), Utah guard Caleb Schlauderaff (left hamstring pull) and USC OT Tyron Smith (right meniscus tear).
Here’s a look at the top 5 official times:
1. Jason Kelce, Cincinnati: 4.93
2. Ryan Bartholomew, Syracuse: 4.97
3. Derek Newton, Arkansas State: 5.01
4. Nate Solder, Colorado: 5.05
5. Jarriel King, South Carolina: 5.09
Those times are nice, but check back later for a post explaining why offensive linemen running 40 yards in a straight line doesn’t hold a lot of weight with scouts and what they’re really watching.
