Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney arrived at the NFL Combine as one of the nation’s top inside linebacker prospects.
He did nothing to change that fact Sunday.
But MSU defensive end Preston Smith might have changed his situation for the better.
McKinney and Smith, two of MSU’s four representatives at the event in Indianapolis, Indiana, each went through individual workouts Sunday. While McKinney put up solid numbers, Smith delivered a head-turning showing as he attempts to improve his NFL draft stock.
A 6-foot-6, 270-pound defensive end from Stone Mountain, Georgia, Smith ran the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds, a time that ranked No. 3 among defensive line prospects. He followed that with a broad jump of 10 feet, 1 inch, which also ranked No. 3 among defensive linemen.
Smith’s vertical jump was 34 inches, eight-best at his position. He finished No. 3 in the 20-yard shuttle drill with a time of 7.07 seconds, and he was fifth among defensive lineman in the three-cone shuttle drill with a time of 4.28.
The performance was the latest in a string of eye-popping performances by Smith, who enjoyed his finest season as a Bulldog in 2014. Entering his senior season with six and a half career sacks in three seasons, Smith had nine as a senior. He also had two blocked kicks, two interceptions, and a defensive touchdown. For his efforts, he was named the Southeastern Conference’s Defensive Lineman of the Week on three occasions.
The ultra-athletic Smith began building momentum last month at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, where he had five tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. The effort earned him one of the game’s top five performers by NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, who saw nothing Sunday to change that opinion.
“I’ve got a second-round grade on him,” said Mayock, the NFL Network’s draft expert. “I think he’s really going to be a productive NFL player.”
For McKinney, expectations could be higher than the second round. A mid-first round pick (to the Miami Dolphins at No. 14) on Mayock’s latest NFL.com mock draft, McKinney maintained his high profile by running a 4.66 in the 40, which came on his second attempt after a 4.78 originally.
While that time ranked No. 14 among linebackers, the fact McKinney did it at 6-foot-4, 246 pounds grabbed the attention of scouts.
Entering the day as Mayock’s No. 1 inside linebacker, McKinney moved up to NFL.com’s No. 2 overall linebacker behind TCU’s Paul Dawson.
McKinney, a first-team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches, had a vertical jump of 40 1/2 inches, which was fourth among linebackers. He finished the three-cone shuttle drill in 7.21 seconds, 14th best at linebacker. His 20-yard shuttle time was No. 13 at 4.27 seconds.
McKinney’s draft profile was built on three years of top-notch production as a defensive leader. He paced MSU’s defense this past season with 71 tackles, including eight for loss.
On Friday, McKinney was asked which teams in the draft he was scheduled to meet with, and he mentioned the Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, and Green Bay Packers.
For McKinney and Smith, the NFL Combine was another in a long line of attempts to impress professional scouts. The next chance will come March 4 at MSU’s Pro Day. That event will allow all of MSU’s seniors and draft-eligible juniors to work out at MSU’s Seal Football Complex for professional scouts and decision-makers.
Cox gets his turn
The fourth and final MSU player to attempt to impress NFL decision-makers will get his chance today.
Justin Cox, the West Point High School product who played his final two seasons at MSU, will take part in defensive back drills this morning.
He arrived at the Combine on Saturday and went through the bench press Sunday, lifting 225 pounds 15 times.
Today, he will start with the 40-yard dash before moving on to the shuttle drills and vertical jump.
Cox finished his MSU career with two interceptions in two seasons.
All of the NFL Combine workouts can be seen on the NFL Network.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
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