*Justice Hill – Noteworthy
A hamstring injury ended his day early, but former Oklahoma State running back Justice Hill still came out a winner Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. A day after finishing in the top 10 among running backs with 21 bench press reps of 225 pounds, Hill showed off his explosive abilities with the fastest 40-yard dash time of any back at 4.40. His vertical leap of 40 inches and broad jump of 10 feet, 10 inches, were also tops among backs. He became only the second running back since 2003 to have a 40 time of 4.40 or faster and a vertical of at least 40 inches, joining New York Giants star Saquan Barkley, who did it last year.
Hill pulled up injured on his second attempt at the 40-yard dash and sat out the rest of the day’s events, which included agility tests like the three-cone drill and shuttle runs. Hill, who measured 5-foot-9 5/8 and 198 pounds, is expected to participate in drills at OSU’s Pro Day on March 12, with a chance to further improve his draft stock. Viewed as a prospect who could go anywhere between the second and fifth rounds, Hill likely impressed scouts on Friday. According to internet reports, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs are among the teams that spoke to Hill at the Combine. – Daily Oklahoman
Jordan Brailford – Noteworthy
Maybe it didn’t come with the buzz that Justice Hill’s NFL Combine performance carried, but Jordan Brailford’s results from Sunday in Indianapolis were equally valuable to his professional future. Brailford, who measured in a 6-foot-2 5/8 and 252 pounds, ran the 10th-best 40-yard dash time among defensive linemen at 4.65 seconds. His 22 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press was eighth among players in the edge rusher category of hybrid defensive end/linebacker prospects. Brailford’s vertical leap of 37.5 inches was the fifth-best among defensive ends and his broad jump of 10-6 was third-best. Though he came into the offseason viewed as a mid- to late-round pick, Brailford has improved his stock with his play at the East-West Shrine Game in January, and this weekend’s showing at the Combine. With the depth of defensive end prospects in the draft, Brailford might still be a middle-of-the-draft prospect, but he has solidified his value this weekend. – Daily oklahoman