FORMER IOWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS FINISH UP AT NFL COMBINE

The Iowa football program sent five former Hawks to Indianapolis this past weekend to strut their stuff in front of NFL scouts in hopes of earning themselves a big payday when the NFL draft rolls around in a couple months. And it’s safe to say Iowa is dominating storylines at the combine in more ways than one.

Josey Jewell, Josh Jackson, Akrum Wadley, Sean Welsh and James Daniels all made the trip to Indy. Let’s see how they did:

LB Josey Jewell

Height: 6’1”
Weight: 234 lbs
Arm Length: 32”
Hand Size: 10”
Bench Press: 18 reps
40-Yard Dash: 4.82
Vertical Jump: 33”
Broad Jump: 117”
3 Cone Drill: 6.8 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.27 seconds
60-Yard Shuttle: 11.52 seconds

That 40 time is a bit on the slow end for linebackers in this class, and Jewell’s bench didn’t do him many favors as well, though that is the same amount of reps put up by fellow B1G backer in Wisconsin’s Jack Cichy.

Jewell was much more impressive in the vertical and broad jumps, and the three-cone drill where he earned the second-fasted time of all linebackers. His 20-yard shuttle was also eighth-best in the group while he got first overall in the 60-yard shuttle for all linebackers. If teams are worried about anything with Jewell, it’s not his conditioning. It is also worth noting that as of this writing, just four other linebackers participated in the 60-yard shuttle soooooooo.

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

CB Josh Jackson

Height: 6’1”
Weight: 192 lbs
Bench Press: 18 reps
40-Yard Dash: 4.56
Vertical Jump: 38”
Broad Jump: 123”
3 Cone Drill: 6.86 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.03 seconds

The 4.49 40 Jackson ran in the above clip was later downgraded to a 4.56 because of an issue with his start or the timer, or something. It could end up costing Jackson a chance at being taken in the first round.

Jackson’s other skills could entice teams to take him early, however. NFL.com grades him as an “instant starter,” and we agree.

RB Akrum Wadley

Height: 5’10”
Weight: 194 lbs
Arm Length: 29.5”
Hand Size: 8 ¹⁄₄ ”
Bench Press: 12 reps
40-Yard Dash: 4.54
Vertical Jump: 32”

Wadley didn’t do himself many favors at the combine. He was the lightest running back to weigh-in, and his 40 time was just middle of the pack. His vertical jump is decent, but I assume NFL scouts are going to show some concern with his overall size, including the size of his hands, which are tiny compared to most other running backs.

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

C James Daniels

Height: 6’3”
Weight: 306 lbs
Arm Length: 33 ³⁄₄ ”
Hand Size: 9.5”
Bench Press: 21 reps
Vertical Jump: 30.5”
Broad Jump: 108”
3 Cone Drill: 7.29 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.4 seconds

Daniels may have improved his stock not just by how he did, but what he didn’t do. And that’s to say Daniels’ main competition at center, Ohio State’s Billy Price, tore his pec while benching. The injury is said to be minor, but this is the kind of thing that spooks NFL teams. Daniels also posted the second-best 3 cone drill of all offensive lineman. His broad jump was solid too; it’s probably between Daniels and Jackson for getting drafted first among Hawkeyes.

OL Sean Welsh

Height: 6’3”
Weight: 306 lbs
Arm Length: 32”
Hand Size: 10 ¹⁄₄ ”
Bench Press: 20 reps
40-Yard Dash: 5.43
Vertical Jump: 25”
Broad Jump: 103”
3 Cone Drill: 7.9 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.81 seconds

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

And finally, Sean Welsh. Welsh didn’t post overly-impressive numbers in any category, though he is apparently impressing NFL scouts with his candor. He’s projected to be a fifth-round pick, and NFL.com compares him to fellow Hawkeye Austin Blythe.

Welsh’s bench is a bit on the low end, as is his 40 time; though his cone drill and 20 yard shuttle are on the respectable spectrum. I still expect Welsh to sign with a team, and I’m seeing rumblings online that his versatility to play center, guard or tackle makes him an appealing pick for clubs.