Wide receivers Rashard Higgins (Colorado State) and Nelson Spruce (Colorado) put their raw athleticism and football skills on display for 32 NFL teams Saturday at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine.
The combine featured 43 wide receivers all looking to improve their stock prior to the NFL Draft, which begins April 28. Higgins entered the day ranked as high as 9th among wide receivers and not outside the top-20 on four major boards. Spruce, meanwhile, ranked as low as 37th and no higher than 20th on those same boards.
Neither Higgins nor Spruce wowed in the exercises, but both were impressive when the footballs started flying.
On paper, Spruce had a better overall showing, minus his 40-yard dash time. Higgins also struggled in the raw speed department, something analysts are now saying he’ll need to improve upon at his pro day to stay inside that top-20 among receivers.
Here’s a full rundown of the stats, plus a look at some video from their workouts.
Rashard Higgins – WR, Colorado State
40-Yard Dash: 4.64 seconds
225-Pound Bench Press: 13 reps
Vertical Jump: 32 inches
Broad Jump: 116 inches
Three Cone Drill: *
20-Yard Shuttle: *
60-Yard Shuttle: *
Higgins was near the back of the pack in terms of 40-yard dash speed and vertical jump, while his bench press and broad jump were middle of the pack. Higgins wasn’t expected to thrill with his raw athleticism, though. He shined in the football drills portion of the day, logging a solid time in the “gauntlet” drill with a 7.48 (per NFLMocks.com). *Times not available.
Nelson Spruce – WR, Colorado
40-Yard Dash: 4.69 seconds
225-Pound Bench Press: 12 reps
Vertical Jump: 35 inches
Broad Jump: 114 inches
Three Cone Drill: 7.09 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.20 seconds
60-Yard Shuttle: 11.90 seconds
Spruce was one of the slowest wideouts to run the 40, and his 12 reps at the bench press were bottom third at the position. But he surprised in the vertical leap and the 20-yard shuttle. Spruce was especially impressive in the “gauntlet” drill. His 7.33 time, according to NFLMocks.com, was fourth in a very fast group, but his hands and sharpness in and out of the drill routes were impressive.
Nelson Spruce running the gauntlet at the combine today. #NFLCombine #buffs pic.twitter.com/CS59Crq66U
— Jeff Howe (@sportsdenver) February 27, 2016