One strange thing I've noticed at The Opening over the last couple of years is that these high-school combine results are actually better than the NFL combine numbers.
NFL Events: Combine Top Performers
For example, Speedy Noil's vertical jump was 45.3". The best at the combine this year was 43". In fact, Speedy Noil would have the best vertical EVER at the combine. Braxton Berrios ran a 3.81 short shuttle at The Opening. That would have been the fastest 20-yd shuttle at the NFL combine. Heck, Tavon Austin wouldn't have finished in the top 5 in the short shuttle at the opening. I've seen Tavon Austin play football and I think he has pretty good change of direction and acceleration.
I'm not insinuating that these numbers are inflated for TV coverage or anything. I'm just saying it seems really fishy that kids go spend 4 years with the world's best strength/speed coaches and nutritionists and come out of the process slower and weaker.
You are SPOT on!! I am sorry there is little chance that any high schoolers are running legit 4.3's. you have to take any 40 time coming from high school with a serious grain of salt. To think that high schoolers are faster than college guys coming off of 4 years of strength programs, 2 months of high level sports performance training where more than likely EVERY movement of your 40 yard dash, down to your breathing, is calculated is ridiculous!! Heck most of the top times in the NFL combine are done by guys who are Olympic Caliber athletes. I have helped run 2 nationally televised combines for the top high school football players in the nation...many of which are currently at "the opening" and I can tell you we out of 2 combines we had 1 guy!!!! that was a legit high 4.4 guy. I'm not saying these kids don't have the potential to get faster, but I wouldn't ever put much stock into the times of a high school kid.
It was funny we reported the right times in the combines we ran and when it air'd CBS changed the times to make it look better. Tom Lemming did the commentating for the combines and Tom Lemming wasn't even present the day of the combine!!
Wow. Did they just shave the same amount off each time?
Lazard also had the 3rd best powerful throw, whatever that means.
I am actually pretty pleased with those numbers. He just isn't a guy who is going to stick out at something like this. He measured in at 6'4.5 though which is pretty damn big. His shuttle also wasn't too shabby. From what I have seen, his best assets are those that aren't tested in these things. He runs very good routes, he can make guys miss subtly and he can go up and get it. I expect a fall in the rankings due to these things but that happens because analysts feel they have to react to numbers. That said, Speedy Noil, holy hell.
Of the ten guys ahead of Lazard in SPARQ there is one 5 star, six 4 stars, one 1 star, and two 2015 guys who haven't been ranked yet.
Just thought I'd post that if anyone cares.
Speedy Noil's numbers certainly jumped off the page but so did his size. 5'10" 181 lbs. That is a far cry from 6'4.5" 207 lbs.
Small and fast.... sounds like a track guy to me. Big and fast.... sounds like a football player to me.
Completely different players. It's like picking between a Tavon Austin and Justin Blackmon.