Cards At The Combine: NFL Combine Results For 5 Former Cards

Posted on by Shawn Barbour

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.

Here are some of Lamar’s highlights from the throwing drills at the combine.

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.

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 Young’s 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.

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