Each year there is always one player who goes above and beyond what we think they are capable of physically at the NFL Combine.

This year, that player was former Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley.  

The Senior Bowl (declined invitation) invitee had 34 tackles, and finished first on the team with 21.5 tackles-for-loss and 12 sacks during his senior season. The Oakland Raiders legendary principal owner and general manager Al Davis (1929-2011) would have moved heaven and Earth to acquire the talents that Beasley displayed at the combine. Davis was known for desiring any player from any position that arrived at the combined and flashed phenomenal athleticism like Beasley showcased.

 The last time NFL Scouts saw Beasley play he recorded five tackles and one sack in the Clemson Tigers win 40-6 over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Russell Athletic Bowl on December 29^th. Beasley did not disappoint NFL teams with his long anticipated debut in Indianapolis. 

 He measured in at the combine at 6-foot-3 and 246 pounds. Chiseled like a Greek God he added over ten pounds of muscle which he put on display when he pumped 225-pounds 35 times. The green Under Armor jersey he wore made him look a little like the Incredible Hulk with his bulging chest and ripped arms. That bench press number (35) tied him for first place among defensive lineman and only two invitees at the combine (offensive linemen) pushed more iron than Beasley. He easily erased some of the critics who questioned his strength with the impressive performance.

 With an additional ten plus pounds on his frame he blazed an amazing 4.53-second 40-yard dash that put the NFL on notice that he is now the guy to watch moving forward.

“4.6, 4.7,” said Vic Beasley addressing the media during the combine about where he predicted himself to finish the drill. He shattered his own prediction.

“Falcons, Michael Vick,” said Beasley when revealing his favorite NFL player growing up.

He didn’t catch Vick’s extraordinary 4.33 40-yard time, but did tie San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s time. Beasley ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at 246 pounds. Kaepernick considered one of the fleetest of foot in the NFL ran the same time at 230 pounds.

The Clemson Tigers star received first-team All-ACC honors that included the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award. Beasley leaves the city of Indianapolis, Indiana as the top performer at the NFL Scouting Combine.

One scout at the East-West Shrine game discussed Beasley at length and revealed the team that employed him had a second round grade on Beasley. Their concern was his ability to deal with bigger and stronger offensive linemen and if he would have the wherewithal to beat them to the quarterback. With added muscle and his warp speed result in the 40-yard dash it appears some to those doubts were likely diminished. With an exceptional first step off the snap he is a blinding force off the edge.

“The majority of the teams are going to want me to play outside linebacker and I’m fine with that,” said Beasley.

No one questions his get off to the quarterback and his combine performance enhances the potential upside of his value.  Size, speed and strength are a lethal combination for a defensive player looking to wreak havoc on opposing teams.

At Adairsville High School in Georgia he displayed the traits he showed at the combine with a great career in track, basketball and football. He returned his senior season at Clemson (2014-15) and now is poised to be one of the most sought after pass rushers available in the NFL Draft.

“I just hope to get drafted,” Beasley said when referring to where he may land on April 30^th on day one of the NFL Draft. “Where ever I get drafted, that’s where I go. I’m just going to try to use my best ability and do what I can to get drafted as high as I can.”

Well Mr. Beasley, I believe you have likely solidified yourself as a top 15 selection…in the first round.