Former Notre Dame pass rusher Isaiah Foskey left the program as the schools all-time leader in quarterback sacks with 26.5. He headed into the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine with a large range of opinions of his projection and expected draft range come late April when the 2023 NFL Draft officially kicks off.
Let’s take a look at Foskey’s overall performance at the event. From athletic testing, medicals and interviews, it was an important week for the California native.
BUZZ AROUND FOSKEY
Some NFL teams believe that he is a foregone conclusion to hear his name in the first round, citing an exciting combination of length, explosiveness and production. There are others who are less optimistic about his projection. With some concerns over overall development and a legitimate pass rush plan.
After an up-and-down 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl performance, the Combine presents a massive opportunity to show off those physical gifts. It is an event that is paramount to his projection. Foskey is a player whose biggest sell is as an athlete so his testing will be something that people focus heavily on.
By all accounts, Foskey has interviewed well so far this week. That should be no surprise based on the reputation he developed over the years as a part of the Irish program.
ATHLETIC TESTING RESULTS
Holy smokes - Isaiah Foskey put together a day in Indianapolis. It all started with the weigh-in, which saw him come in a quarter of an inch taller, as well as even longer arms than what he measured in at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Quite simply, Foskey tested like a freak. His explosive numbers (vertical and broad jump) were both good numbers. He checked the boxes there and showcased his lower body burst.
He followed that up with a 4.58 forty yard dash, including a 1.66 ten yard split, which are both incredible numbers for a player 264 pounds. For some context, that was a faster time than former Notre Dame All-American safety Kyle Hamilton (4.59 seconds) who was selected with the 14th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and proceeded to have a tremendous rookie career.
Foskey needed to showcase his high level athleticism this week. He did that today.
Here are his official measurements from Foskey’s workout. The three cone and short shuttle numbers have not been posted yet. It was unclear whether Foskey would participate in either drill.
Height: 6-5 ¼
Weight: 264 pounds
Arm length: 34 inches
Hand size: 9 ⅞ inches
Forty yard dash: 4.58 seconds (1.66 ten yard split)
Vertical jump: 34 inches
Broad jump: 10’5”
FIELD DRILLS
This was actually the bigger question mark for Foskey coming into the week. There was very little question about how athletic he is. You can pop on the film and see that instantly.
How would he look changing direction and showing his fluidity? That was the bigger question mark.
Foskey is slightly high cut, who also makes his money with his power profile, so it’s unfair to expect him to look the same as a lighter build outside track pass rusher. For the most part, Foskey looked very good in the field drill section of the workout.
He was slightly tight but overall, it looked better than anticipated. Foskey was smooth and had little wasted movements. There were even some pretty nice reps dropping in pass coverage during the day.
HOW MUCH DID HE HELP HIMSELF?
Coming into the week, Foskey needed to show out as an athlete. He did just that - with an exclamation point.
From the sounds of it, Foskey also checked all the boxes from a medical perspective and interviewed extremely well. He should be considered a big winner of the week from the defensive line group.
Seeing just how athletic Foskey was in person should go a long way to easing evaluators minds in terms of the inconsistent film. Edge is a position where traits matter very much. It should be pretty easy to bet on athletic freak like Isaiah Foskey.
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