:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53551045/usa-today-9919775.0.jpg)
Both Anthony Walker Jr. and Ifeadi Odenigbo took on the NFL Combine on Indianapolis this weekend. Walker Jr., who left Northwestern with one year of eligibility left, and Odenigbo were the only two Wildcats selected for the event, with Austin Carr, the conference's top wide receiver, getting snubbed from the process. Here is how both former Wildcat defenders performed.
Anthony Walker Jr.
Walker weighed in at 238 pounds, down seven pounds from the 245 the Northwestern roster listed him as. One of the nation's better downhill players, he clocked a 4.65 in the forty, tied for fifth-best among linebackers. He also finished tied for fifth with 23 reps on the bench press. He also posted a 30.5 vertical jump and a broad jump of 116 inches, neither of which placed him in the top 15 among linebackers. An AFC scout told NFL.com that he'd like to see Walker Jr. playing at closer to 230 pounds but liked his physicality, production and downhill play. Walker Jr. still managed to catch the eye of at least a couple of evaluators, though.
Anthony Walker Jr. also looking very good today.
— RT Football (@RTFootballScout) March 5, 2017
Anthony Walker Jr. quietly having a nice day
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) March 5, 2017
Walker Jr. also reportedly met with representatives from the Colts, Dolphins, Saints, Lions and Patriots.
Ifeadi Odenigbo
Odenigbo was pleased with his performance over the weekend after he, too, weighed in seven pounds lighter than he was listed on Northwestern's roster: 258 vs. 265. His 4.72 forty placed him 13th among defensive linemen, and his 25 bench press reps were tied for 13th. But where Odenigbo excelled was in the broad jump, where his distance of 10 feet and 8 inches was tied for second-best among defensive ends, five inches behind Haason Reddick's Combine record 11-foot, 1-inch leap. His three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and vertical jump did not place within the top 15 at his position.
The NFL Draft will take place from April 27 to April 29 in Philadelphia. CBS views Walker Jr. as a mid-round selection while it views Odenigbo as a possible 7th-rounder or priority undrafted free agent.