If the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald ever retires, we might have gotten an early glimpse of who could actually emulate him. At least, in terms of athleticism.
Thursday saw the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine test interior defensive linemen in on-field drills. (Remember, not everyone who dominates goes on to great careers.) One of the more highly touted prospects was Pittsburgh product and 2022 Unanimous All-American Calijah Kancey.
At a listed 281 pounds, Kancey would be considered relatively “undersized” for an interior defensive lineman. But with 14.5 tackles-for-loss and 7.5 sacks in his final college campaign, scouts are excited by the young man’s possible ability to be a disruptor at the next level.
Boy, did Kancey show off his potential when it came time to run the 40-yard dash:
Calijah Kancey officially ran a 4.67 forty yard dash
Fastest 40 time by a Defensive Tackle since 2000😳
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 2, 2023
Oh … oh my goodness?
Again, I know Kancey is “undersized” for his position, but that’s still a very large human being. I’d say I’m shocked it’s the fastest time by a DT in 23 years — even faster than Donald’s time of 4.68 at the 2014 combine — but now I’m not so sure.
What Kancey lacks in size he certainly makes up for with speed. (Also, look at former Chicago Bears DT Tommie Harris!)
Well with that official time, here are the fastest 40s by iDL (DTs) since 2000:
Calijah Kancey – 4.67O
Tommie Harris – 4.68
Aaron Donald – 4.68
Tank Johnson – 4.75
Earl Mitchell – 4.75
Geno Atkins – 4.75— Anthony Staggs (@staggsNFL) March 2, 2023
If Kancey can move like that, all bets are off for him as a coveted prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. No one will dare overlook Kancey for his size if his athleticism is, quite literally, off the charts.