Pitt star Calijah Kancey sets record at NFL Combine
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The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2022 draft in need of a quarterback. They looked next door at the UPMC Rooney facility on the South Side and drafted Kenny Pickett out of the University of Pittsburgh.
This year, along the defensive line, the Steelers will enter the draft with 33-year-old Pro Bowler Cameron Heyward under contract, along with Montravius Adams and prospects Isaiahh Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal.
But not much else. Larry Ogunjobi, Chris Wormley and Tyson Alualu are all free agents.
Might the Steelers knock on Pitt’s door once again for help? Based on some results from the NFL Combine on Thursday, Panthers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey may be even more enticing than he was before this week’s workouts.
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Kancey measured in at 6-foot-1, 281 pounds. So in terms of size and build, Kancey may be viewed as a bit of a tweener for the Steelers’ system. Then again, some thought another former Pitt star along the defensive front, Rams All-Pro Aaron Donald, may be too small for the NFL as well. Three NFL Defensive Player of Year trophies later, any concerns about size and scheme fits were disproven.
But it wasn’t Kancey’s measurements that caught the eyes of scouts. It was his 40-yard dash time. At first, it appeared that Kancey ran the 40 in an impressive 4.73 seconds during his second attempt.
Calijah Kancey beats his first time with a 4.73u. @Ckancey8 | @Pitt_FB
: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/5A9UB3A2CJ— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023
However, Kancey’s official time actually came in at 4.67 seconds. According to ESPN.com, that’s the fastest time by a defensive tackle at the combine since 2006, when ESPN Stats & Information began tracking data from the event.
That time certainly stood out among those at his position.
One of these is not like the rest…
Calijah Kancey is truly different
We just witnessed an all-time great DT performance in the 40-yard dash #H2P » @NFL » @NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/1AjAVjhrjS
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) March 2, 2023
It’s clear Kancey knew his performance opened eyes.
"Today I ran the 40. I killed it."
You sure did, @Ckancey8. @Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/7TRaZu516r
— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023
Kancey — an Outland Trophy finalist — led the nation’s interior defenders this past season with 14.5 tackles for loss and finished with 7.5 sacks. He was Pitt’s first unanimous All-American since Donald in 2013. Donald ran a 4.68 40-yard dash at the 2014 combine.
NFL.com layered video of Kancey’s first try with Donald’s official time nine years ago.
Couple of @Pitt_FB DLs on the Simulcam. @Ckancey8 | @AaronDonald97
: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/0y224YXeA5— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023
Even before Thursday’s performance, Kancey was projected as a first-round pick in multiple mock drafts. Kancey will have another chance to impress scouts during his Pro Day on March 29.