NFL Combine Roundup

The can’t-miss moment of the NFL Combine was SBNation’s glorious video of linemen running the 40-yard dash to “Chariots of Fire.” UCLA’s Jeff Baca makes an appearance 20 seconds in. Watch it if you haven’t already.

If you’re looking for something more substantive, here are the results from the Bruins’ workouts.

*Top performer
OL Jeff Baca — 5.03 sec 40 | 26.5 inch vert | *7.26 sec 3-cone | *4.44 sec 20 shuttle
TE Joe Fauria — 17 reps bench (limited by pulled groin from E-W Shrine game)
RB Johnathan Franklin — *4.49 sec 40 | 18 reps bench | 31.5 inch vert | 115 inch broad | 6.89 3-cone | 4.31 sec 20 shuttle | *11.33 sec 60 shuttle
CB Aaron Hester — 4.62 sec 40 | 29 inch vert | 112 inch broad | 7.26 sec 3-cone | 4.33 sec 20 shuttle
DE Datone Jones — 4.80 sec 40 | 29 reps bench | 31.5 inch vert | 112 inch broad | 7.32 sec 3-cone/*4.32 sec 20 shuttle
P Jeff Locke — n/a
All numbers from NFL.com

Baca, Franklin and Jones all did well for themselves in Indianapolis. Jones continued building off his momentum from the Senior Bowl, and found himself in ESPN analyst Mel Kiper’s Big Board for the first time, coming in at No. 24 in today’s updated rankings. He’s built himself a case as a first-rounder over the past month, and did nothing to hurt that over the weekend.

From Kiper:

A versatile defender who gets a great burst off the snap and can clear blockers quickly, a reason he piled up 19.0 TFL. He has really good feet, allowing him to not look like a big DT who can’t wrap up shifty runners. Pretty quick, he’ll chase plays down. Just needs to show more strength in his lower half to hold up as bigger linemen lean on him all game.

Jones is now projected to go in the 20s, according to both analysts at CBS Sports.

Franklin showed off his speed with the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash among running backs, finishing ahead of Oregon’s Kenjon Barner. He also get some help from Jim Mora, who texted NFL Network’s Mike Mayock during the combine to make a pitch for Franklin. It’s not a great year overall for tailbacks, so he likely won’t slip past the third round. Baca was first among all offensive linemen in both the three-cone drill and the 20-yard shuttle, and seventh in the 40-yard dash.

UCLA’s Pro Day is on March 12.