Braden Fiske gives eye-popping performance at 2024 NFL Combine

Braden Fiske turned heads with his play with FSU football in the second half of the 2023 season. He began to stand out more with his dominating performances at the Senior Bowl, so all eyes were on him at the 2024 NFL Combine. Fiske didn't disappoint Thursday afternoon with some eye-popping performances among the defensive tackles in attendance. He checked in at nearly 6'4" and 292 pounds and showed power and explosion by leading all defensive tackles in the vertical (33.5") and broad jump (9.9")portions. However, it was his forty-yard dash time that separated him from the pack. FSU football fans are no strangers to his speed as he often raced FSU head coach Mike Norvell downfield after huddle breaks at practices(and won). Fiske turned out a blistering 4.78 on his first try, with a 1.68 10-yard split.

The 40 time was also tops among defensive tackles. To put it in perspective, Dalvin Cook had a 1.59 10-yard split. The position groups have the three-cone, 20-yard shuttle, and bench press events remaining, and I expect Fiske to shine in those as well (I will update those numbers when available). Fiske uses an elite reaction time and first step, combined with active hands and a relentless motor to stand out among his peers. The ACC Championship game was a prime example of what he's capable of when fully healthy. His performance in his lone year at FSU, combined with what he's done over the past few months at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, has put him near the top of all defensive tackle prospects. He will be the first FSU defensive tackle drafted since DeMarcus Christmas was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. It will break a long drought for FSU at the position, but there's more on the way next year with Joshua Farmer and Darrell Jackson.