With the NFL combine in full swing, the Seattle Seahawks and other teams across the league are getting an up-close look at the next wave of NFL talent.
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As it does every year, the combine has delivered some remarkable displays of athleticism that make many wonder, ‘How can a man that size move like that?”
Defensive lineman and linebackers took center stage during the first day of the combine Thursday. A few freakishly athletic defensive linemen stole the show.
Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart was one of them. The 6-foot-5, 267-pound edge rusher ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and posted a 40-inch vertical leap. Arkansas’ Landon Jackson was another standout, posting 4.68-second 40 time and a 40.5-inch vertical leap at 6-6 and 264 pounds.
As it pertains to the Seahawks, former NFL quarterback Brock Huard came away impressed with the other group, though. Huard explained why the upcoming linebacker group caught his eye during his Blue 88 segment on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.
“There were some really, really athletic, fast linebackers,” Huard said. “And (re-signing) Ernest Jones I think would still be priority (number one for the Seahawks). You would love to see Ernest Jones (back). Tyrice Knight last year, when he got his (chance to) start in the back half of the year, was awesome. But they could really use another linebacker. Maybe somebody in that third or fourth round.”
Eight of the 16 linebackers who ran 40-yard dashes posted times under 4.6 seconds at this year’s combine, up from five last year. Two in particular stood out to Huard: UCLA’s Kain Medrano and Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman.
Medrano, a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season, ran the fastest 40 time of any linebacker at 4.46 seconds. He also posted the fourth-best vertical jump (38 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 5 inches).
Kain Medrano with a 4.46 on his 40-yard dash 🫨
Tune-in: #nflcombine Feb 27-March 2 on @nflnetwork #DRE #DoMore pic.twitter.com/ov8klTGsVG
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) February 28, 2025
The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Medrano had 72 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks during his final season with the Bruins. NFL.com’s scouting profile projects Medrano as average backup or special teams player, but his stock could be rising after showing out as the fastest linebacker at the combine.
Stutsman, a first-team All-SEC pick and second-team All-American last season, tied for the third-fastest 40 time among linebackers at 4.52 seconds and posted a 34-inch vertical jump.
Impressive 4.52u from @FbStutsman 👀#NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/3qjOiM3oA7
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) February 28, 2025
The 6-foot-3, 233-pound Stutsman had over 100 tackles in his final three seasons with the Sooners. In 2024, he posted 109 tackles, eight tackles for loss and one sack. Stutsman is projected as an eventual average starter by NFL.com and is the No. 7 linebacker in ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper’s position rankings for the 2025 class.
“(He had a) couple concussions in college,” Huard said of Stutsman. “Some of these guys, same with Kain, (were) kind of nicked up a little bit (in college), but I wouldn’t mind seeing that position added to.”
Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player in this story. Tune in to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
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