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Georgia Prospect Stuns Scouts With 40-Yard Dash Time

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March 3, 2023

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

While everybody was talking about quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine right now, some defensive prospects made sure to shift the attention.

Georgia star DL Nolan Smith made the rounds with his impressive metrics, and even veteran QBs should be praying for him not to make any roster.

The star pass-rusher left everyone in awe after ranking among the position leaders in several drills, including a 40-yard dash for the ages.

Smith was officially clocked at a whopping 4.39 seconds, beating teammate Robert Beal Jr. (4.48) and Tennesee’s Byron Young (4.43) for the fastest time in his position.

Official time: 4.39 @GeorgiaFootball DL Nolan Smith was MOVING!

(Via @nfl)
pic.twitter.com/6GWBz5HAKY

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) March 2, 2023

Notably, this was the second-fastest time ever logged by a defensive linesman, trailing only Virginia Tech’s Amaré Barno (40.36) in 2022, according to NFL Research.

If that wasn’t enough, Smith’s 40-yard dash time was even better than three of the fastest and most prominent players in the league: DeAndre Hopkins (4.57), Stefon Diggs (4.46), and even Saquon Barkley (4.40).

Smith also ranked first in the 10-yard split (1.52 seconds) and vertical leap (41.50”), becoming the heaviest player (284) to record a 40+ vertical and a 40-yard dash time of less than 4.40 at the combine since 2003.

Nolan Smith’s draft stock fell after missing the end of the season with a pec injury, but with that kind of physical potential, there’s no doubt that multiple teams will now try and go to extra lengths to get him.

It’s not every day you get to watch such an intriguing combination of raw power, strength, athleticism, and hops, and he comes with the elite defensive pedigree of a top-notch program.

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