The Florida State football program is well represented at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. After a stellar 13-1 season, several key players who played a crucial role in the Seminoles’ College Football Playoff-caliber season will participate in the week-long event at Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis). One is defensive tackle Braden Fiske, a standout from the 2023 campaign, who demonstrated his exceptional speed in the 40-yard dash on Thursday. As announced by the NFL’s official Twitter (also known as X) account, Fiske blazed through the drill, registering an unofficial 4.78 40-yard dash, the fastest among interior defensive linemen at the Combine.
Fiske’s 4.78 time places him well ahead of Mekhi Wingo of LSU, who clocked a 4.86 40-yard dash. Texas’ Byron Murphy II and Clemson’s Ruke Orhorhoro also posted times of 4.90 or under. All times are still considered unofficial as of this publication.
Florida State Seminoles DT Braden Fiske: Clocks Best 40-Yard Dash Time for IDL
Fiske made headlines for his unofficial 4.78-yard 40-yard dash on Thursday. Fiske couldn’t contain his excitement as he crossed the finish line, shouting, ” Oh, yeah! ” This exclamation was a clear sign that he was fully aware of his outstanding time. The fastest 40-yard dash time for an interior defensive lineman in history was set last season when Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey ran a 4.67. He surpassed the previous record of future NFL Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year also went to Pittsburgh and ran a 4.68.
"OH YEAH!"
Braden Fiske knew his 4.78u 40 was a good one. 😂
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/sfsqrJ3NCy— NFL (@NFL) February 29, 2024
According to Pro Football Focus Trevor Sikkema, Fiske had an exceptional day of testing. He concluded with a 33.5-inch vertical jump, placing him in the 91st percentile. However, his 40-yard dash time and broad jump truly stood out, propelling him into the 96th percentile or higher among defensive linemen. The six-foot-three defensive tackle had an impressive season last year for the Florida State football program, recording 43 tackles, nine TFLs, and six sacks. Before the 2023 season, he played four years for the Western Michigan Broncos. Fiske was named second-team All-ACC and second-team All-MAC during his five-year college run.
Florida State Football: Well Represented in Indianapolis
The Florida State football program sent 12 players to this year’s rendition of the NFL Scouting Combine. Defensive linemen Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Fabien Lovett, and linebackers Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune will participate in Thursday’s on-field testing weight-ins. Meanwhile, defensive backs Renardo Green and Jarrian Jones, wide receivers Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, running back Trey Benson, tight end Jaheim Bell, and quarterback Jordan Travis round out the remaining FSU players.
Travis, a three-year full-time starter for the Seminoles, suffered a brutal leg injury near the end of last season, with the College Football Playoff committee opting to leave an undefeated FSU squad out of the four-team playoff due to his injury status. Florida State struggled on offense in his absence, scoring 44 combined points in their final three games.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!