In Indianapolis, South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori left a lasting impression at the NFL scouting combine on Friday with his outstanding performance. As the second-ranked safety according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and projected as the 27th pick in Kiper’s recent mock draft, Emmanwori truly showcased his athleticism during the second night of drills at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Standing at a formidable 6-foot-3⅛ and weighing 220 pounds, this All-American safety clocked an impressive 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash. His athletic prowess was further evident with a remarkable 43-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot-6 standing broad jump, demonstrating his smooth skills during position drills.
Notably, ESPN Research highlights that Emmanwori is among a select group of only four players, standing 6-3 or taller, who have achieved over 40 inches in the vertical jump and run a sub-4.4 40-yard dash since 2003. This exclusive list includes Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Tariq Woolen, and DK Metcalf.
What’s more, Emmanwori is the only safety since 2003 to boast a sub-4.4 time in the 40-yard dash combined with at least a 40-inch vertical and an 11-foot broad jump.
He was confident about his abilities, predicting before the event that his numbers would be eye-catching. When asked about his 40-yard dash time, he confidently stated, “4.3.”
“I’ve heard some chatter about being the fastest defensive back,” Emmanwori mentioned on Thursday. “I believe I’m near the top—certainly within the top three or five. I don’t think there’s been a safety like me in a while. With my size, speed, and abilities, it’s rare.”
During the last season, Emmanwori distinguished himself as one of just two players nationwide to return two interceptions for touchdowns. He wrapped up the season with 88 tackles and four interceptions overall.
In the latest draft analysis, Kiper predicted that the Baltimore Ravens would choose Emmanwori with their 27th pick. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Matt Miller ranked him at 28, and Jordan Reid considers him the second-best safety available.
