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NFL Combine: Mountain West Football Highlights From Thursday, February 27
Netane Muti eats, Cole McDonald is fast, Jordan Love has a Michael Scott moment, and more.
Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire
A lot to take in.
The athletes finally took to the field and the weight room at the NFL Combine yesterday, where the Mountain West’s representatives had their fair share of highlight moments. Eye-popping or quirky, it was a day that nonetheless gave football enthusiasts a lot to talk about.
Here’s what you may have missed.
Netane Muti destroys on the bench press
If you thought crushing monster burgers was impressive, Netane Muti gave NFL teams a taste of how his strength really translates on Thursday.
BEST OF THE 2020 COMBINE SO FAR:@FresnoStateFB OL Netane Muti puts up 44 bench press reps (225 lbs)! 💪 #NFLCombine @netane_muti52 pic.twitter.com/pzAQMmDQsa
— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2020
Someone in Fresno State OG Netane Muti’s camp told me Muti was “f***ing pissed” after putting up 44 bench reps today at the #NFLCombine because Muti repped 48 last week and “wanted the record.”
To repeat: Furious at himself for putting up the 4th-most bench reps ever.
Animal. pic.twitter.com/yWtfrZn7NN
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) February 28, 2020
If you haven’t been paying attention, now is a good time to start. After all, Fresno State is the same program that developed Logan Mankins, too.
Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland and John Molchon, meanwhile, were no slouches on the press themselves.
Ezra Cleveland of Boise State (@BroncoSportsFB) sets a new high for bench press reps among the first group at today’s NFL Scouting Combine, with 30 total. pic.twitter.com/Gf35B1Llie
— Brendan Connelly (@BConn63) February 27, 2020
🗣🎤 “John Molchon. Boise State.”
Let ‘em know, @JohnMolchon!
2️⃣6️⃣ reps at the #NFLCombine!#BleedBlue
📺 @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/KB2vlV7dCn
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) February 28, 2020
San Diego State’s Keith Ismael, by the way, did not do the bench press.
Robert Hunt, Keith Ismael, Solomon Kindley, Shane Lemieux, Lucas Niang, Logan Stenberg, Prince Tega Wanogho, and Jedrick Wills all will not be participating in the bench press, but will at their pro days.
— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) February 27, 2020
Cole McDonald shows off his tools.
The Hawaii quarterback isn’t getting the same amount of attention as some of his peers in his draft class, but teams looking for a toolsy project might start taking more notice now.
#Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald dazzles at #NFLCombine w/ QB leading 4.54 40 yard time, was hand clocked at 4.49 https://t.co/2gAPowb0kA @HawaiiFootball @ColeHunter520 📝 @c_shimabuku // https://t.co/SOdY37JnAf 🤙🏽 pic.twitter.com/DFKk8lGikG
— Rob DeMello (@RobDeMelloKHON) February 28, 2020
Officially, McDonald clocked in at 4.58, but that was still the fastest time of any quarterback. And if that wasn’t enough, he also stood out in the vertical, as well.
Top performers in the vertical jump among #NFLCombine quarterbacks:
1) Cole McDonald, @HawaiiFootball, 36 inches
T-2) Justin Herbert, @oregonfootball, 35.5
T-2) Jordan Love, @USUFootball, 35.5
T-4) Kelly Bryant, @MizzouFootball, 35
T-4) Jalen Hurts, @OU_Football, 35— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) February 28, 2020
And if you noticed, McDonald decided to part with his signature dreadlocks for the combine, too. He had an explanation for that:
Cole McDonald addresses the change in hair styles. H/T @TampaBayTre for the question pic.twitter.com/rIPJfjyZao
— Mark Schofield (@MarkSchofield) February 25, 2020
John Hightower flashes the speed.
Henry Ruggs might have broken the curve for wide receivers yesterday in the 40-yard dash, but Boise State’s Hightower acquitted himself pretty well among his peers.
John Hightower 😧🏃♂️💨#ShrineBowl | #NFLCombine @Hightower_J4 pic.twitter.com/rnoCNGqKnn
— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) February 28, 2020
That figure ranked in the top ten overall, ahead of well-regarded prospect Jerry Jeudy, so you have to think that’s a good first impression for a player who could be a steal in a deep class. Chad Rueter of NFL.com seems to think so, too.
Is Jordan Love secretly The Flash?
Put him in a foot race with Usain Bolt and Michael Scott, let’s find out.
Best performance of the day has to go to Jordan Love who ran a 0.0pic.twitter.com/37Ddi56bAh
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) February 28, 2020
Thankfully, things went a little more smoothly in the passing drills, which is where Love was always more likely to solidify his rising draft stock.
Jordan Love’s ceiling might be higher than any QB in this draft. Imagine him sitting a year behind Brees 👀 pic.twitter.com/SAjIw6yD69
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) February 28, 2020
Jordan Love with a beautiful post corner concept for 40+ yards right in the bucket. #Colts pic.twitter.com/xYP3M0bwpv
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) February 28, 2020
It wasn’t without its blemishes, but the positives appeared to outweigh the negatives and it already has some of the draft’s highest-profile prognosticators throwing down on Love’s behalf.
Here we go: @McShay13 bet @MelKiperESPN $5,000 that Jordan Love will go ahead of Justin Herbert in April’s draft; loser of the bet sends $5,000 to the @TheVFoundation. pic.twitter.com/Ix5dDnPFgt
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2020
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