The NFL Combine got going this week and on Friday several UCLA Football players started their individual workouts.
Over the next several days, the NFL Combine will poke and prod and analyze several prospects that are looking to break into the professional ranks. Among them are nine UCLA Football players that are looking to impress with their individual workouts.
RELATED: Previewing The UCLA Football Players at the NFL Combine
Though the combine is an enigma in and of itself (all those awkward questions), it is a chance for NFL scouts to observe several young football players up close and personal.
With individual workouts starting on Friday, we bring you a few notable story lines involving former UCLA Football players.
The Offensive Linemen
It is not understood why offensive linemen have to participate in certain drills like the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, they just do. Fortunately, two former UCLA Football OLs impressed in their 40 performances as Caleb Benenoch and Jake Brendel notched two of the top five times. Benenoch was third overall with a time of 4.98, while Brendel came in 5th at 5.01.
#UCLA O-linemen Caleb Benenoch and Jake Brendel in the top five of OL 40 times today at combine pic.twitter.com/bmn5phwgCK
— Edward Lewis (@Edward__Lewis) February 26, 2016
NFL Scout Daniel Jeremiah was most impressed with the performance of Benenoch and as he put it, “really helped himself” with his workout and stated that he was an “easy mover”.
Big man quicks! @calebbenenoch #NFLCombine #ImABruin https://t.co/oQujPyli7u
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) February 26, 2016
Myles Jack is 100%
Myles Jack will only be participating in bench drills as he continues to rehabilitate his knee (Jack tore his anterior meniscus in practice after UCLA’s third game of the season in 2015). Still, that did not stop him from being one of the biggest talks of the town on Friday as he has stated that he is 100%.
According to CBSSports.com, Jack had spent over seven hours with the NFL Combine medical staff as they thoroughly examined his knee for any residual pain.
Jack stated, “It’s pretty much what I expected. My agent told me they were going to be really aggressive with it and just trying to kind of make it hurt. But it was fine.”
In addition to examining his knee, they also examined what type of player he would be in the NFL. Jack said that he has been told by several scouts that he could play all three linebacker positions (Mike, Will and Sam) as well as some safety. “I see myself as a football player. I want the teams to decide for themselves. I feel like I can play any position.”
Other “Bruins In The Combine” News
Paul Perkins had also ran the 40-yard dash at the combine on Friday and posted a 4.54 time among running backs.
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Though not the best time among running backs, it is apparently a good enough performance for his standards. Yet, there might be more to that.
According to Matt “Money” Smith of the Petros and Money Show on LA Sports AM 570, Perkins only ran the 40 once because he felt tightness in his quad.
Smith, who also works for the NFL Network, has been reporting from the NFL Combine all week and told the listeners of his LA-based radio program on Friday that he did not initially notice Perkins get hurt.
After Perkins’ solo run, the former UCLA RB immediately went to the training table to get checked out. You can listen to his report HERE (start listening at the 14:00 mark).
Next: Nine UCLA Football Players Invited To The NFL Combine
Stay with Go Joe Bruin as we continue to bring you the latest information regarding UCLA Football at the NFL Combine.