Star edge rusher target of the Dolphins, 49ers, Steelers, and Panthers set to dominate the NFL Combine
Austin Booker, EDGE Kansas was quite the popular prospect during his time at the podium in Indianapolis on Wednesday. For those unfamiliar with the NFL Combine prospect availability process, there are typically 12 prospects available at a time, eight at podiums, four at smaller tables. And despite there being multiple projected first rounders also available […]
Austin Booker, EDGE Kansas was quite the popular prospect during his time at the podium in Indianapolis on Wednesday.
For those unfamiliar with the NFL Combine prospect availability process, there are typically 12 prospects available at a time, eight at podiums, four at smaller tables. And despite there being multiple projected first rounders also available during Booker's interview time, several television cameras and top NFL Network journalists were crowded around him instead.
Why all the attention for an edge defender from Kansas?
Austin Booker's hype train began building steam at the Senior Bowl, where his athleticism and surprisingly advanced technique helped him win nearly every one-on-one matchup during practice sessions. This week Booker has the perfect opportunity to prove just athletic he is, and when asked about it he didn't hold back.
Now at 245 pounds, Booker full expects to run a sub-4.6 forty-yard dash, proving he can maintain his elite speed after gaining a little weight to help him compete at the next level.
When I asked him about adjustments he made this past fall when teams started to key on him every single snap, this is what he had to say:
Booker's ability to make adjustments in preparation, win with speed, his flexibility, and a deep set of of counter moves makes him quite the intriguing prospect.
If he does indeed run a forty-yard dash time near 4.5 he'll have a speed score above the 90th percentile for edge rushers. That might be good enough to push him up into second-round consideration.
He's already met formally with the Dolphins (and mentioned loving that interview), the 49ers, Steelers, and Panthers, but made it clear he had a few more teams lined up. Booker is definitely going to be a hot commodity on draft day, especially if he dominates the NFL Combine on-field drills like says he will.