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Gesicki Improves Draft Stock

RB Saquon Barkley took the combine by storm Friday. TE Mike Gesicki and WR DaeSean Hamilton got their chance Saturday

Gesicki posted some of the best jumps ever at the tight end position.
Gesicki posted some of the best jumps ever at the tight end position.
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Penn State fans knew that former Nittany Lion running back Saquon Barkley was going to put up big numbers Friday. Those same fans also knew how special Barkley's teammate, tight end Mike Gesicki is. The rest of the world found out Saturday afternoon.

Checking in at 6-foot-5, 247 pounds, Gesicki posted the second best bench press at his position Friday, repping 225 pounds 22 times. Saturday, he was even better, jumping an eye-catching 41.5 inches on the vertical and 10'9" on the broad jump. Both jumps were not only the best of this year's class, but they were some of the best jumps in the history of the event.

According to Rotoworld.com reporter Josh Norris, Gesicki's vertical was tied for fourth-best at tight end since 2006. His broad jump was tied for seventh-best in the same timeframe.

Gesicki's 40 was also impressive, as he tied for the fastest official time at tight end, running 4.54 seconds. Jaylen Samuels from N.C. State posted the same time.

Kim Jones, a reporter for NFL Network, said "A team that likes Gesicki told me that they don't believe they'll be able to get him now." When Jones asked that anonymous team source to elaborate if they believe Gesicki will now go in the first round, the source replied, "yes."

Mike Mayock also chimed in. “[Gesicki] ran extremely well in the (40-yard dash). He’s got that very long stride. I don’t know if he plays as fast as he timed and he’s never on the line, so a permitter blocker, but boy, he catches the ball and he jumped 41.5-inches. If you want to talk about the measurables, Mike Gesicki had himself a day."

At 233 pounds, Mike Gesicki ran a faster time than LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp and future Hall-of-Fame WR Antonio Brown.
At 233 pounds, Mike Gesicki ran a faster time than LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp and future Hall-of-Fame WR Antonio Brown.

Gesicki wasn't the only Nittany Lion in action Saturday, as wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton also worked out. While he decided to hold off on the 40, electing to instead run it at his Pro Day, Hamilton jumped 34.5 inches on the vertical 9'10" on the broad jump. Both times were about mid-pack at his position. On the field, Hamilton was praised multiple times for his routes, with multiple scouts noting that he has improved his draft stock since the offseason.

The Nittany Lions will have another representative on Sunday, as linebacker Jason Cabinda takes the field. Cabinda weighed in a 6-foot-1, 239 pounds earlier this week. He also benched press 225 pounds 19 times Saturday.

Come Monday, Penn State will have four representatives in the defensive backfield, as Grant Haley (5-9, 190), Christian Campbell (6-0, 195), Marcus Allen (6-2, 215) and Troy Apke (6-1, 200) all take the field.

Hamilton runs the gauntlet drill at the NFL Combine
Hamilton runs the gauntlet drill at the NFL Combine
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