Did anybody catch the numbers that Roy Helu “Goodbye” Jr. put up at the NFL Combine on Sunday?
Well, they were pretty impressive. Good enough to get a mention as one of SI.com’s “risers” (meaning his stock is going up) from Day 2 of the Combine (don’t get overly excited, Jake Locker made the same list). Here’s what they had to say….
Roy Helu/RB/Nebraska: Helu’s stock has been rising since his solid campaign of 2010. He was able to keep the momentum going on Sunday, running faster than expected. Helu’s 40s ranged in the low-4.4s and the ex-Cornhusker also looked terrific in drills.
He ran the 6th fastest 40 time by any of the Running Backs at the Combine with a 4.42. I was not surprised to see this kind of number out of him, because he has outstanding straight line speed once he gets going.
What did surprise me were his top flight numbers in the 20 and 60 yard shuttle runs (these tend to test your acceleration and agility – Madden knowledge). Not only did Helu put up the best numbers of any of the Running Backs at the draft in both of these drills, he put up the best numbers in “recent history” according to NFL.com (which, best I can tell spans back to 2006).
While he barely beat out 2nd place in the 20 yard shuttle (Greg Cooper of Miami), he destroyed the competition in the 60 yard shuttle (Helu’s 11.07 compared to 2nd place Kendall Hunter of OK State with 11.19).
So what does all this mean for Helu, who was tabbed as a 7th round prospect according to CBSsportsline.com before the Combine?
My best guess says he probably climbed his way up into the 4th-5th round for April’s Draft, which may seem like a small difference, but could be huge for his career. Most mid-round draft picks are given a few years to make an impact in the league, while 7th rounders to undrafted players must immediately prove themselves in their first training camp/preseason.
Good news for Heluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, Goodbye.
Original Story:
http://huskercorner.com/2011/02/28/ro...
