Calijah Kancey already making noise at the NFL Combine

During the NFL Combine on Thursday, Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey ran an official 4.67 40 yard dash time, which is a historic number.

Alien is the only word that can be used to describe the talented defensive tackle from Pitt, who is currently matching up well with Aaron Donald with his measurements.

Just saying.

https://twitter.com/brgridiron/status/1631404927892303874?s=20

The 4.67 number is the fastest time by a defensive tackle since 2003, which is a 20 year record.

Kancey is a total specimen in every sense of the word.  He is undersized, standing at just 6’1″ and weighing under 300 pounds.  The red-shirt junior should be going in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and the comparisons to Aaron Donald are already coming out in full force.

We won’t ever know how Calijah Kancey will play in the NFL until he gets there, but the early returns should be encouraging for any team who is looking for help along the defensive line.

He also ranked top in his group with a 1.64 second 10 yard split.

Just for some perspective, running back James Conner, who also went to Pitt, ran a 4.65 40 yard dash.

Calijah Kancey’s speed is absolutely insane, and while a defensive tackle may not need to boast his speed all of the time, what he does bring to the table is enticing.

Him being smaller helps him gain some leverage against offensive linemen, and naturally, his motor is insanely strong.

He’s also got some ultra quick and has a deadly first step.

What Kancey seems to profile at in the NFL is someone who perhaps isn’t the strongest against the run but can come in during certain pass rushing packages to make life hard on the interior.

We’ll see how the rest of the 2023 NFL Combine shakes out, but the early returns from the big fellas up front is very encouraging.  Any team in need of DL or pass rush help has come to the right draft.