(5'10'', 199 lbs) made his case to be a first round draft pick in a big
way. By running a 4.42 second forty yard dash on Sunday he likely
vaulted himself into the first round after seeming bound for the second
round by many draft experts a few short days ago.
Tate ranked fourth overall in the wide receivers category with his
forty time but also had a solid outing in bench press and broad jump.
His 17 reps (at 225 lbs) in bench ranked seventh at the position and
were only three behind the leaders. Tate also had a broad jump of
10'0'' that put him in the top ten at the position.
The bench and broad jump numbers were nice for Golden but the forty time can separate a reciever from being a first round pick and a second or now third day selection. Getting his forty time at 4.42 answered many questions and silenced many Tate-doubters on Sunday.
Other Irish notables so far at the combine include Eric Olsen and Sam Young.
Olsen put up 35 reps in the bench press which placed him tied him for
third most amongst offensive lineman. He also ranked in the top ten in
the vertical jump (29.5 inches) and was tied for fourth in the 3-Cone
Drill (7.50 seconds). Young also ranked in the top ten in bench press
(29 reps), Vertical Jump (29.5 inches), and broad jump (8'8'').
Is the NFL Combine all that goes into the draft? Absolutely not,
that's why Tate can expect to hear his name called long before Olsen
and Young.
Tate was amongst the biggest weapons in college football this past
season in only his third year at wide receiver. Sam Young started
every game for four years at Notre Dame but never turned into the
dominant tackle he was expected to be, Olsen was center on a team that
hasn't been able to run between the guards for quite some time.
Because of those bigger questions than a forty time or long jump
distance, don't expect Olsen or Young to be drafted in the first three
rounds.
Jimmy Clausen did not throw on Sunday but did measure in at
6'3'' which there was some speculation agianst. He will throw at Notre
Dame's pro day on March 23rd while questions surround his "leadership
ability" (Something that will be addressed here fairly soon). Former
captain Kyle McCarthy will work out with his fellow defensive backs in Indianapolis on Tuesday.
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Tags: Eric Olsen, Golden Tate, Kyle McCarthy, NFL Combine, NFL Draft, Notre Dame Football, Sam Young
Tate's time definitely helps him. However, he reportedly really struggling catching the ball - which isn't unusual for someone like him that just made the switch to WR recently. He's definitely got a lot of upside and great work ethic though.