Jumping out the building: South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori (6-3, 220) had an incredible 43-inch vertical and 11-foot-6-inch broad jump and then ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds. But he's not just a measurables guy with no statistics. He recorded 88 tackles and four interceptions for the Gamecocks this past season. He's one of the top safety prospects in this class. A creative defensive coordinator could have some fun with him. His Combine measurables at his size compare only to DK Metcalf, who is an All-Pro receiver. Crazy Combine for Emmanwori.
Putting on a show: Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston (5-11, 183) also put on a show at the Combine Friday, running the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds and sporting a 39.5 vertical jump and 10-foot-9-inch broad jump. Hairston reached a top speed of 24.25 mph, the fifth-fastest speed reached by a player at the Combine over the last three years and second-fastest by a cornerback, per the NFL Network.
Branch comp: Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron has drawn a lot of comparisons to Lions defensive back Brian Branch this week. In fact, NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah said that Branch and Barron had really similar tape when studying both. The two have similar body types and college production, but there's one big difference. Branch ran a 4.58 40-yard dash in 2023 and that's part of the reason he slipped to Detroit in the second round. Barron ran a 4.39 that probably solidifies him as a first half of the first-round selection. That is where Branch would have been selected if teams could have a do-over of that 2023 draft.
Dirtbag mentality: NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein described Georgia guard Tate Ratledge of having a "dirtbag mentality" in his pre-draft description of him. Asked about it Saturday, Ratledge took it as a huge compliment.
"To be a good offensive lineman, you have to have a little bit of that in you," he said. "But know how to control it at the same time. For someone to say that about me, I appreciate it because I feel like that's how I play."
Remember last offseason after the Lions drafted guard Christian Mahogany, GM Brad Holmes said the same thing about him.
Going fast: There were seven cornerbacks who ran sub-4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash — Hairston (4.28), Darien Porter (4.30), Caleb Ransaw (4.33), Jacob Parrish (4.35), Zah Frazier (4.36), Barron (4.39) and Robert Longerbeam (4.39). Porter's time was particularly impressive at 6-foot-2 7/8 and 195 pounds. His 1.49 10-yard split time was the best of the group.
Hockey background: Like any Canadian born player, Stanford receiver Elic Ayomanor grew up playing hockey as a forward but realized going into high school that football was his future. He met with the Lions this week and his physicality as a receiver and run blocker certainly fits their profile. Ayomanor had 13 catches for 295 yards and three touchdowns against Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and Colorado in 2023. He was recruited to Stanford by current Lions pass game coordinator David Shaw.
Goff getting some love: Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers on the NFL quarterbacks he likes to study: "I like to watch Matthew Stafford," he said. "Aaron Rodgers is always fun to watch. I think (Rodgers), arm-talent-wise, is the most talented quarterback of all time. And then I also like to watch Jared Goff just because I think he plays the game the right way."
Fun interview: One of my favorite interview sessions of the week was from North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel. Witty and funny guy. He was asked about his 40 time and — with a straight face — said he's torn between a 4.4 and a 4.5. Then he cracked a smile. He was a pitcher growing up and said his pitch arsenal consisted of a fastball, fastball and then maybe a breaking ball, but realized pretty early the fastball wasn't fast enough for baseball to be his focus. He's one of the more interesting O-line prospects in this draft with his ability to play four spots along the line.
Sanders confidence: Former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is certainly not short on confidence. One takeaway from listening in on his media session at the Combine is the young man is certainly comfortable in front of a camera.
"If you ain't trying to change the franchise or the culture – don't get me," Sanders said. "So, you should know history repeats itself over and over and over, and I've done it over and over and over, so it should be no question why a franchise should pick me."
