Combine Day 3 Notes

Once again, some of the top players helped themselves. Gaines Adams, who I currently have as the #3 prospect overall, ran a 4.64, the fastest time of all DLs. That should only help his stock, as it shows his potential at LB, if he doesn't make it at DE.

Alan Branch, another top 10 prospect, and the consensus #1 DT, ran a 5 flat, at 6'6" 324 pounds. He also had 33 reps, tied for 3rd most among DL.

Patrick Willis, probably the consensus #1 LB and one of my favorite players, ran an unofficial 4.49, while he was estimated by many to run in the 4.6's.

Quincy Black, from New Mexico, measured in at 6'2" 240 pounds, and might even make a move to DB. He ran an unofficial 4.42, and looked extremely fluid in quickness drills. He doesn't have ideal strength for a LB, and played this season at 230 pounds. He might be best suited by losing weight and making the switch to SS.

Possible 3-4 linebackers are always a hot item as draft day nears, and this year is no exception. Here are some of the top candidates to make the switch, along with their unofficial 40 times:
Gaines Adams, Clemson: 4.64
Antwan Applewhite, SDSU: 4.73
Jacob Ford, C Arkansas: 4.65
Justin Hickman, UCLA: 4.73
Charles Johnson, Georgia: 4.81
Jay Moore, Nebraska: 4.90
Quentin Moses, Georgia: 4.82
Jarvis Moss, Florida: 4.70
Brian Robison, Texas: 4.67
Anthony Spencer, Purdue: 4.73
Abraham Wright, Colorado: 4.90

Adam Carriker, who really impressed many at the prestigious Senior Bowl, repped 225 33 times, then followed that up with a 4.90 40. They say that your Short Shuttle time should be about .40 seconds faster than your 40 time, but Carriker ran a 4.18. That's just 1 tenth of a second slower than the top WR and RB. Not bad for a 6'6" 292 pounder.

Tank Tyler of N.C. State got 42 reps of 225, just two short of tying the combine record and 8 more than this year's next best DL. (Joe Cohen, DT/Florida, got 34)