Many UofL fans kept up with how well our 5 invitees have been doing at the NFL Combine this past weekend. Lamar Jackson, Trevon Young, Jaire Alexander, Geron Christian, and James Hearns all participated in the big showcase of talent before the draft.
Below we will give official measurements, highlights of drills, interviews, and other information about UofL’s 5 invitees.
Lamar Jackson:
Combine Measurements:
Height: 6’2 Ό
Weight: 216 lbs
Hand Size: 9 ½ inches
Arm Length: 33 1/8 inches
Lamar did not perform any athletic testing such as the 40 yard dash, the bench press, or the vertical jump. The talk of some teams eyeing a position change to WR was the main reason for this refusal.
Instead, he chose to only perform in the throwing drills while he will do the other drills at his pro day. He threw the ball well, showing great touch on deep balls and accuracy on slant and in breaking routes. He still had some accuracy issues on out breaking routes and deep balls.
Still, as it has always been with him, it is due to footwork more than anything. His inaccuracy, especially on out routes, is usually high due to having a narrow base with his footing.
He wasn’t the best passer in the drills as that accolade went to Josh Allen. However, Lamar showed, despite a little inconsistency, he can make every throw.
Every team apparently loved Lamar in the interview process.
Mike Freeman, an NFL writer, tweeted this out about how interview with at least one team went.
From one team personnel man who interviewed Lamar Jackson at the combine: "A truly special person. Wow'd everyone in the interview. I'd feel comfortable turning over the team to him."
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) March 3, 2018
Here are some of Lamar’s highlights from the throwing drills at the combine.
Lamar Jackson (@lj_era8) showing off his accuracy at the #NFLCombine! @UofLfootball
πΊ: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/g1Y6w9zRqq
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2018
Lamar Jackson (@lj_era8) throws the deep ball to DaeSean Hamilton! π―#NFLCombine @UofLFootball @PennStateFball
πΊ: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/gfyKDPCFSg
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2018
.@Lj_era8 participated in passing drills at the #NFLCombine today.
How'd he do? See for yourself β¬οΈ pic.twitter.com/81V5ze9AjS
— LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) March 3, 2018
#Louisville #Cardinals QB Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) says he felt it was disrespectful to propose to him the possibility of playing WR after all he had accomplished playing QB in this post workout interview at the #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/adDlY0U9W6
— Sleeper Athletes (@SleeperAthletes) March 3, 2018
Jaire Alexander:
Combine Measurements:
Height: 5’10
Weight: 196 lbs
Hand Size: 9 ½ inches
Arm Length: 31 1/8 inches
Wingspan: 74 Ύ inches
Combine Athletic Testing:
40 Yard Dash: 4.38 seconds
Vertical Jump: 35 inches
Bench Press (225 lbs): 14 reps
Broad Jump: 127 inches
3 Cone Drill: 6.71 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle: 3.98 seconds
Jaire Alexander came into the combine as a projected 2nd or 3rd round talent. After running a 4.38 40 yard dash and showing his quickness, ball skills, and swagger during positional drills, Jaire may have vaulted himself into the 1st round.
According to NFL.com, some concerns expressed were Jaire’s slight frame which may lead to durability and injury issues. Also, his lack of acting on his incredible instincts and instead opting for the safe play was a concern. Another concern was that his slender frame may mean he’s not strong enough to shed NFL blockers.
Check out some of his highlights below.
.@JaireAlexander is here pic.twitter.com/iLiV3Kve7D
— Lyndsey Gough (@LGonTV) March 4, 2018
Jaire Alexander (@MikeMayock's #5 CB) runs a 4.43u 40-yard dash! @JaireAlexander @UofLFootball#NFLCombine
πΊ: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/Ashd4PSGaC
— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2018
π at that speed! Jaire Alexander is a top performer in the 40-yard dash, β clocking in at 4.38! #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/DSfALdHfh3
— LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) March 5, 2018
Trevon Young:
Combine Measurements:
Height: 6’3 7/8
Weight: 258 lbs
Hand Size: 10 inches
Arm Length: 33 6/8 inches
Wingspan: 82 1/8 inches
Combine Athletic Testing:
40 Yard Dash: 4.78 seconds
Bench Press (225 lbs): 25 reps
Vertical Jump: 33 inches
Broad Jump: 114 inches
3 Cone Drill: 6.99 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.40 seconds
60 Yard Shuttle: 11.60 seconds
Trevon Youngs combine results were good, but according to NFL.com, questions about the hip that he grievously injured in a bowl game in 2015 make drafting him a gamble for many teams.
However, with his combine showing, there is a good chance a team takes a flier on him in the late rounds.
His medical records may be the ultimate determining factor in whether he gets drafted or not. If he’s not drafted, he will likely be signed somewhere as a free agent.
James Hearns:
Combine Measurements:
Height: 6’2 4/8
Weight: 239 lbs
Hand Size: 9 3/8 inches
Arm Length: 32 ½ inches
Wingspan: 76 4/8 inches
Combine Athletic Testing:
40 Yard Dash: 4.89 seconds
Bench Press (225 lbs): 22 reps
James Hearns is considered an edge rusher/OLB by NFL Personnel Evaluators. Apparently, according to NFL.com, one anonymous AFC Personnel Executive believes Hearns has character issues that could worry teams. The executive also advised Hearns combine interviews could go a long way in easing the character concerns.
According to NFL.com evaluation, Hearns, while having great hands and power to make him a pass rusher, he lacks lower body bend and strength to be an effective run stopper.
While there is talent to work with, they advise he will need to become a contributor on special teams to stick. As of now, he is projected as a late round draft pick.
Geron Christian:
Combine Measurements:
Height: 6’5 1/8
Weight: 298 lbs
Hand Size: 10 Ύ inches
Arm Length: 35 inches
Wingspan: 82 6/8 inches
Combine Athletic Testing:
40 Yard Dash: 5.33 seconds
Bench Press (225 lbs): 19 reps
According to NFL.com, Geron Christian has great athleticism, foot quickness, and balance. However, the concern is his power and technical ability to use is amazing arm length, wingspan, and especially his huge hands.
Geron is excellent at sliding to block, maintaining his balance throughout the block, and using his feet to stay with pass rushers using inside and outside rush moves. His versatility in having played both RT and LT well make him an intriguing prospect.
The concerns seem to be with a certain lack of power, his bad hand placement on blocks, and his ability to stop power rushers from pushing him back into the pocket or pushing him on his heels and getting by him.
According to NFL.com, one anonymous NFC team offensive line coach had this to say about Geron: “This is one of the most interesting tackles because he has potential. Some of these tackles like the UCLA kid (Kolton Miller) they aren’t going to get much better. This kid just needs more experience and coaching and I think he will be a starter down the road.”
Check out Geron putting in work on the bench press below.
Did you miss Geron Christain on the @NFLNetwork today? Hereβs a look at the first Cardinal up at the #NFLCombine putting in πͺ work. pic.twitter.com/gcHKh4gHql
— LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) March 2, 2018