Ten Arizona products headed to the NFL Scouting combine looking to improve their draft stock, and for the most part they seemed to do a good job.
Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk, who went to Scottsdale Saguaro High School, ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, helping to quell concerns about his speed. Oklahoma tight end Mark Andrews, a Desert Mountain High School product, ran a 4.67 40, a solid time for a player at that position.
Two lower-tier prospects seemed to really make a positive impression.
While Arizona State running back Kalen Ballage did not have a big senior season, he tested well athletically, with a 4.46 40-yard dash and a broad jump of 122 inches. Arizona safety Dane Cruikshank isn't getting a lot of publicity but he put up some impressive numbers, including the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.41 seconds) of anyone with local ties.
Arizona State linebacker Christian Sam also had some standout results, including the most bench press reps of any linebacker at the combine.
Below is the full list of combine results for players from the state.
| Combine Results for Arizona Products | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| * | 40-Yd Dash (seconds) | bench Press (reps) | Vertical Jump (Inches) | Broad Jump (Inches) | 3-Cone Drill (Seconds) | 20-yd Shuttle (Seconds)* |
| WR Christian Kirk (Saguaro HS) | 4.47 | 20 | 35.5 | 115 | 7.09 | 4.45 |
| TE Mark Andrews (Desert Mountain HS) | 4.67 | 17 | 31 | 113 | 7.34 | 4.38 |
| RB Kalen Ballage (ASU) | 4.46 | 15 | 33.5 | 122 | 6.91 | 4.35 |
| S Dane Cruikshank (UA) | 4.41 | 25 | 38.5 | 121 | 6.89 | 4.24 |
| LB Christian Sam (ASU) | 4.75 | 28 | 32 | 114 | 7.03 | 4.25 |
| OL Sam Jones (ASU) | 5.32 | 28 | 27 | 101 | 7.92 | 4.86 |
| DE JoJo Wicker (ASU) | 5.16 | 25 | 30 | 105 | - | - |
| RB Demario Richard (ASU) | 4.70 | 12 | 29.5 | 115 | - | - |
| CB Levi Wallace (Tucson HS) | 4.63 | - | 33 | - | - | - |
| CB Isaiah Oliver (Brophy Prep) | 4.50 | - | - | - | - | - |
