NFL Combine: Fans react to Josh Sweat’s blazing 40 time
By Kelvin Hunt
Former FSU defensive end Josh Sweat blazed his 40 time at the NFL Combine.
The NFL Combine helps and hurts some of the participants quite a bit. Former FSU defensive end Josh Sweat falls into the former category as he was able to let his athletic ability speak for itself.
Sweat was confident going into the combine despite lingering questions about the knee he injured in high school.
The questions linger even though Sweat has started for three seasons in Tallahassee despite only missing three games in that span.
The former No.1 overall player coming out of high school made a great impression Sunday as he backed up his claim he expected to “blow it out of water” when talking to reporters Saturday.
FSU DE Josh Sweat, who is 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, said “I expect to run about a 4.4, 4.1 shuttle, 40-inch vert, 10-plus broad... I expect to blow it out of the water.” pic.twitter.com/hu21jmuc91
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 3, 2018
Sweat wasted no time making his mark with a blazing 40 time of 4.57 on his first try, and ran faster on is second attempt with a time of 4.53.
That time was tied for the fastest among defensive lineman since 2003.
We have a new leader in the DL 40-yard dash!
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2018
Josh Sweat (@FSUFootball) runs a 4.57u 😳#NFLCombine
📺: @nflnetwork https://t.co/4IsTRn6Ayu
Awesome to see Josh Sweat tearing up the #NFLCombine ... one time No. 1 overall in #ESPN300 before horrific knee injury. Work with @FeetHipsHands prepping for #NFLCombine2018 paying off in big way... 4.57 & 4.53 pic.twitter.com/Sik7L7h45D
— Gerry Hamilton (@GHamilton_On3) March 4, 2018
Fan Reaction
4.53 40-yard with a 1.55 10-yard at 6-foot-5, 251 pounds.
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 4, 2018
Josh Sweat is a god damn alien
NFL scouts face when we already knew Josh Sweat was a beast pic.twitter.com/JbneOM1URE
— TaReef KnockOut (@TaReefKnockOut) March 4, 2018
Josh sweat just killed the 40 off a bum knee. https://t.co/rNk4IDo7sn
— Jaguar Paw (@sirdibbydukes) March 4, 2018
.@FSUFootball DE Josh Sweat ran an unofficial 4.57 with a split of 1.58.
— Dion Caputi (@nfldraftupdate) March 4, 2018
All explosion. This is your ideal, projectable 3-4 edge rusher. No physical limitations.#NFLCombine
Perspective on Josh Sweat's 1.55 10-yard split... it's the same 10-yard split A.J. Green had at the 2011 combine.
— Chris Trapasso 🏈 (@ChrisTrapasso) March 4, 2018
Thoughts
Josh Sweat was projected to be a second or third round selection, but these times could influence a team to take him in the first round.
Sweat also has the highest vertical among defensive linemen with 39.5 inches and a broad jump of 10′ 4 inches.
Personally, I wouldn’t be concerned with the knee injury from high school as he showed durability during his time as FSU.
It’s clear he has ridiculous physical skills and will flourish in the right system in the NFL. Regarding the guy talking about people missing Sweat’s quick-twitch on tape.
I don’t think they did, but what they did see what him being slow to get off the line scrimmage when the ball was snapped. That’s something he’s going to have to improve upon, and if he does, he’ll be unstoppable in the NFL.
Next: Willie Taggart Hints At Long QB Battle
Sweat also has the highest vertical among defensive linemen with 39.5 inches and a broad jump of 10′ 4 inches.