How former Badgers fared at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine

With Draft SZN in full swing, the NFL Scouting Combine is one of the more pivotal events of the year for the 300+ hopefuls interviewing both mentally and physically for the NFL talent evaluators and decision makers in Indianapolis this week.

The Badgers sent six former athletes to the event: Troy Fumagalli, Jack Cichy, Garret Dooley, Leon Jacobs, Nick Nelson, and Natrell Jamerson. As of Sunday night, everything is complete for the Wisconsin contingent with the exception of Nelson and Jamerson running their 40s and their agility and field drills.

Let’s take a look at how the event has gone for the former Badgers up to this point. All results can be found on NFL.com’s results tracker.

TE Troy Fumagalli

Height: 6’5
Weight: 247 pounds
Arm Length: 34 1/8”
Hand Size: 10 1/4”
Bench Press: 14 reps

That isn’t an awful number for the bench press (see Orlando Brown, 345-pound offensive lineman who had the same number), but it was the lowest of the tight ends. Fumagalli isn’t an overwhelming blocker, though, so this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Fumagalli didn’t participate in any of the other drills at the Combine, likely waiting to perform them at the March 14 UW Pro Day in front of NFL scouts in Madison.

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

LB Jack Cichy

Height: 6’2
Weight: 238 pounds
Arm Length: 32 1/8”
Hand Size: 9 1/2”
Bench Press: 18 reps

Cichy is still rehabbing the ACL injury he suffered in August, but these measureables were important for him, and he showed well. Just over 6’2 and around 235–240 pounds will be important for teams to see scheme versatility. Eighteen reps is also a nice number for Cichy, who I don’t think anyone confuses for a bodybuilder. Teams will be mostly looking at his film from 2016, so it’s important to see Cichy continue to develop his body since he hasn’t been on the field for a game in 18 months.

Edge Rusher Garret Dooley

Height: 6’3
Weight: 248 pounds
Arm Length: 32 1/2”
Hand Size: 10 1/4”
Bench Press: 21 reps
40-Yard Dash: 4.8 seconds
Vertical Jump: 33”
Broad Jump: 121”
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.28 seconds

Dooley made himself some money on Sunday. He didn’t run super fast, but I don’t think anyone expected him to. 6’2-and-a-half and 250 pounds are good numbers for him, and both 4-3 and 3-4 teams will look at him as a SAM linebacker. Dooley will play every special-teams unit and is still developing as a pass rusher. His jumps were both good, and the short shuttle was pretty average. He didn’t run a three-cone drill; that will likely be saved for UW Pro Day when the hometown stopwatch can be a little quicker.

Edge Rusher Leon Jacobs

Height: 6’3
Weight: 246 pounds
Arm Length: 33 1/2”
Hand Size: 9 5/8”
Bench Press: 26 reps
40-Yard Dash: 4.48 (second-best among linebackers)
Vertical Jump: 34 1/2”
Broad Jump: 122”
3-Cone: 7.14 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.44 seconds
60-Yard Shuttle: 12.15 seconds

Jacobs would have gotten a lot more press about his 40-yard dash time if Shaquem Griffin didn’t run 4.38 a few spots in front of him. Jacobs also had a very nice showing in the bench press, finishing tied for third (.eader had 28, three tied at 27, two tied at 26). His three-cone time is pretty respectable, but his explosion drills were going to be the most impressive for Jacobs, and they were. 4.44 seconds isn’t great in the short shuttle, but it’s definitely not a death sentence. Jacobs likely moved himself into mid-Day 3 consideration with this workout.

Cornerback Nick Nelson

Height: 5’11
Weight: 208 pounds
Arm Length: 30 3/4”
Hand Size: 9 1/4”
Bench Press: 17 reps

Nelson came in a hair shorter than I anticipated, but he’s a solidly-built player and I expect him to test pretty well in the on-field drills. The 17 reps are very respectable for a defensive back, and if he runs well he should cement himself as a pick in the late-Day 2 range.

Safety Natrell Jamerson

Height: 6’0
Weight: 198 pounds
Arm Length: 32 5/8”
Hand Size: 9 3/4”
Bench Press: 25 (tied for first)

Jamerson, as I predicted on Bucky’s 5th Podcast, should do very well for himself in Indianapolis. Nearly identical in size to Nelson, his arm length will be coveted by NFL scouts and his bench press should speak well to his work ethic in the weight room. I think Jamerson can work himself into a draftable player with a really nice workout in Indy.