Oklahoma football: How Sooner NFL hopefuls are doing at scouting combine
By Chip Rouse
The 2023 NFL scouting combine is underway in Indianapolis this weekend, and several Oklahoma football players are in attendance trying to improve their NFL Draft prospects.
Over several days, players invited to the combine by the NFL participate in individual skill events including 40-yards dash, vertical jump, broad jump, bench press and three-cone drill. Watching and evaluating intently are NFL general managers, head coaches and scouts as they build their boards and flow charts for the upcoming NFL Draft in Kansas City.
Workouts for defensive linemen and linebackers were held on Thursday and defensive backs, placekickers and special teams prospects were on display on Friday.
OU DL Jalen Redmond was among those showing off his skills on day one, and his numbers were impressive.
Following up on Thursday's #NFLCombine coverage, #Sooners Jalen Redmond had the No. 1 vertical (34.5"), No. 1 broad jump (9'8"), the No. 1 three-cone (7.36 seconds), No. 1 20y shuttle (4.51 seconds) and No. 2 40 (4.81 seconds) of all the DTs in Indy. Definitely made some money.
— John E. Hoover 🌮 (@johnehoover) March 3, 2023
Redmond was one of seven former Sooners who were invited to take part in this year’s scouting combine. The 6-foot, 2-inch, 292-pound defensive lineman posted a 40 time of 4.81, the second fastest among the D-linemen group. His 34.5-inch vertical jump was the best of the group.
Redmond tied for the best performance in the broad jump (9 feet, 8 inches) and was the best of his group in 7.30 seconds. He did 27 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press, which was fourth best in his position group.
While at Oklahoma, Redmond recorded 71 career tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks over three full seasons.
It’s pretty obvious that the former Sooner defensive star boosted his draft stock with his skill measurables. Current mock draft projections have him as a late-round selection, potentially the sixth of seventh round.
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It was punter Michael Turk’s turn on day two on Friday. A transfer to Oklahoma from Arizona State in 2021, Turk led the Big 12 and ranked third in the country last season, averaging 46.8 yards per punt. Turk showed his leg power in the 40-yard drill at the combine, positing a time of 4.83 seconds. He recorded a 34-inch vertical jump and 9-feet, 1 inch in the broad jump.
Five other former Sooners are set for combine workouts on Saturday and Sunday. They include WR Marvin Mims and TE Brayden Willis on Saturday and O-linemen Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris and RB Eric Gray on Sunday.