INDIANAPOLIS – This year's deep and talented class of running backs hit the field for workouts Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
This group of runners is considered one of the best position groups in the entire 2018 draft class, and they didn't disappoint with their on-field testing.
As expected, Penn State running back Saquon Barkley was a star. He measured in at 6-foot and 233 pounds. He benched 29 reps, jumped 41 inches in the vertical, and ran the 40 in an official time of 4.40. He cemented his status as a Top 5 pick.
NC State's Nyheim Hines ran the fastest time among the running backs at 4.38 seconds.
Other impressive sub-4.5 times were put in by San Diego State's Rashaad Penny (4.46), Arizona State's Kalen Ballage (4.46) and LSU's Derrius Guice. All three of those players weigh 220 pounds or more, making their times even more impressive.
This year's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Saints running back Alvin Kamara, measured 5-foot-10 and 214 pounds at last year's Combine, and ran the 40 in 4.56 seconds.
Georgia's Nick Chubb had an impressive two days of workouts. He matched Barkley's 29 reps on the bench Thursday, and was second in the broad jump (10'8''), which helps measure explosiveness. He ran 4.52 seconds in the 40 at 227 pounds.
Alabama's Bo Scarbrough (4.52), Northwestern's Justin Jackson (4.52), Oregon's Royce Freeman (4.54), Georgia's Sony Michel (4.54) and Iowa's Akrum Wadley (4.54) all went under 4.55.
More than anything, Friday at the Combine showed this class is loaded with players that possess both size and speed -- Two things teams covet at the position.
