Ricky Pearsall shines at 2024 NFL Scouting Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine is the biggest job interview a college football player will ever have. Former Florida Gators receiver Ricky Pearsall aced his job interview on Saturday.
Pearsall’s day began jumping. The receiver posted a 42″ vertical and a 10’9″ broad jump. The two tests are designed to show how explosive an athlete is in their lower body. Pearsall’s 42″ vertical jump puts him in the 97th percentile of all athletes who participated in the event, while his broad jump was in the 89th percentile.
After posting those it was time for Pearsall to run the 40-yard dash. No one test is more watched and scrutinized than the 40 and the group of receivers this year posted insane times, with Xavier Worthy of Texas running the fastest time ever recorded (4.21) at the NFL Combine. Pearsall held his own, posting an official 44.1 — 10th best at the combine in a very fast receiver group.
While NFL teams will certainly look at that time, Pearsall pointed out that there’s more to his game than straight line speed.
“My fluidity (and) running routes sticks out,” Pearsall told reporters in Indianapolis.. “Nothing that gets thrown at me throws me off guard in my routes. There are a lot of moving pieces when you are running routes. You have to see everything change and coverages changes. Film watching is really important when it comes to that.”
Pearsall’s draft stock
During the 2023 season, Pearsall reeled in 65 receptions for 965 yards and four touchdowns. Those numbers in the catches and yards column marked career highs. He also averaged 20.7 yards on three rushing attempts, while scoring on two of his three carries.
Pearsall finished with 98 receptions for 1,626 yards and nine touchdowns during his two years at Florida after transferring from Arizona State. In his final season with the Sun Devils, he led the team with 48 catches for 580 yards and four touchdowns.
After the Senior Bowl, Pearsall was projected just outside of the first round in a mock draft by Pro Football Focus. His performance at the Scouting Combine will only help that draft stock. Pearsall is considered to be a day two pick and should expect to hear his name called in the second or third round.
Ricky Pearsall measurements and testing results
Measurements:
Height: 6-1
Weight: 189
Arm: 30 7/8
Hands: 9 1/4
Workouts:
40-yard dash: 4.41
10-yard split: 1.57
Vertical Jump: 42″
Broad Jump: 10’9″
3-Cone Drill: 6.64
Shuttle: 4.05
Bench: 17
