Only three other receivers since 1970 Steve Smith, Jerry Rice and Sterling Sharpe have achieved that feat. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy), South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. Eastern Washington WR Cooper Kupp. Woods' 12 catches and Kupp's 11 made them the first tandem . Taking into account the distance in feet (60 feet), we can calculate his speed in feet per second to 31.09. Kupp, ran the 40-yard dash at the 2017 draft combine in an unimpressive 4.62 seconds. In new Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua's introductory press conference, he shares his reaction to getting the Draft call & talks about his excitement to learn from Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Now, years after that combine, Adams is viewed by many in the league and the news media as a fast, explosive player who is. Why is all of this important? Edwards, now the offensive coordinator at California Polytechnic State University, was Kupps teammate at Eastern Washington as a senior in 2012 while Kupp was a redshirt freshman. The NFL Draft is on NFLN/ABC/ESPN. With a 4.62 40-yard dash, he didn't demonstrate any of the speed teams typically look . Over 10 yards, we can calculate his speed in yards per second to 6.0. How many times does he have to run for a 50-yard touchdown or 60-yard touchdown before we say he's fast?". He was . Check out Jared Goff's full scouting combine workout. Taking into account the distance in feet (30 feet), we can calculate his speed in feet per second to 19.0. He also talks about his impression of quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams' coaching staff. With the NFL Scouting Combine officially underway, take a look back at Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp working out at the 2017 NFL Combine. Or, his speed and athleticism aredownplayed, despite the fact he displays absurd amounts of both. Emmanuel Morgan has covered the Rams and the N.F.L. Camryn Irwin & D'Marco Farr are joined by Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay to talk about Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Louisville Cardinals running back Tiyon Evans runs the 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Kupp and his quarterback are totally in sync. Taylor said when he still coached in Los Angeles, he would sometimes wake up to texts messages from Kupp that were screenshots of running plays, along with the receivers opinions on how to use that play against a certain defensive look. Please check your email for a confirmation. East Carolina Pirates running back Keaton Mitchell runs an official 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Using Bill Barnwells calculation, this Combine 40 time gave him a Speed Score of 89.56. in three of receiving's most important statistics this regular season: receptions, yards and touchdowns. . In his introductory press conference, new Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Warren McClendon reveals what Georgia teammate Stetson Bennett said to him when he was drafted to the Rams & describes what skills he brings to the team. At the Combine, he recorded a broad jump of 908, which is recorded as FII or FFII . Aaron Donald Cooper Kupp Jalen Ramsey NFL Rams The top prospects in the 2023 draft class are in Indianapolis this week for the NFL combine, a time for them to show their skills on the field and their character during interviews. 2023 Los Angeles Rams. - Week 18 Based on his weight, he has a projected 40 yard dash time of 4.56. Before he was the triple crown winner and Super Bowl MVP, he was just a kid from Eastern Washington trying to prove himself. His footwork on the play allowed him to dissect which way the defender was leaning with his hips and then find the opening on the opposite side. Running back Bijan Robinson reflects on his 2023 combine performance with NFL Network's Stacey Dales. New Rams running back Zach Evans is Los Angeles-bound after they traded up in the 2023 NFL Draft to select him, and he'll be seeing some familiar faces. Kupp has a Super Bowl MVP. Kupp is seen as a shifty, clever player who lacks speed, and gets open through craftiness. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press). Michael Conroy/Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. https://theramswire.usatoday.com/lists/rams-nfl-combine-highlights-donald-ramsey-kupp/, Rams 2023 undrafted free agent tracker: All of LA's post-draft signings, Grading each of the Rams' 14 picks in the 2023 NFL draft, Experts hand out grades for Rams' 2023 draft class, 7 takeaways from the Rams' 2023 draft class, 5 things to know about new Rams CB Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, LaDainian Tomlinson's nephew, Evaluating the athletic profiles of the Rams' 2023 draft picks, Here is the Los Angeles Rams' full 2023 draft class, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Kupp's4.62 40-yard dash at the combine is also constantly discussed in the media. How are the NFL Combine skills used in real life? This forty time correlates to a 3.24 score out of 10.0. At his pro day, he recorded a vertical jump of 29.5 seconds. Anyone can read what you share. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy), California quarterback Jared Goff runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. Latest on WR Cooper Kupp including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on NFL.com TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan draws up and breaks down plays on the whiteboard with NFL Media's Steve Mariucci. This correlates to a 8.77 score out of 10.0. These descriptions of Kupphave been a constant in the news media for several years, but grew in number significantly this yearas Kupp has composed one of the most epic seasons for a receiver in league history. Throughout many of the discussions of Kupp, there's a sense of shock that a white player is so good, and an almost refusal to believe that he's fast and athletic. He fell just 18 yards short of breaking Calvin Johnsons record for most receiving yards in a single season. But what's clear is that Kupp is fast. Rams Coach Sean McVay often gives Kupp option routes in the slot and in bunch formations, especially against man coverage looks. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy), TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. On Cooper Kupp: "All his test scores, coming out of his breaks, agility, quickness, every test timed better than it was before he tore his ACL. We can calculate the speed traveled over the second ten yards of the 40 yard dash easily, as the distance and time are both known. At his pro day, he recorded a 10 yard split of 1.57 seconds. Thanks to a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, Kupp's stock is at a low point, at least in the public eye. (Ben Liebenberg via AP), Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images), University of Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs the 40-yard dash at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 26, 2013. NCAA Football: Cotton Bowl-Wisconsin vs Western Michigan, Who will draft Corey Davis? The second player is Cooper Kupp. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan), Washington linebacker Cory Littleton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016. There are many more. Perry Knotts/ 2019 Perry Knotts Photography. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy), University of Pittsburg defensive tackle Aaron Donald runs through drills at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 24, 2014. LOS ANGELES Nick Edwards knows the Los Angeles Rams Cooper Kupp not as the most efficient receiving threat in the N.F.L., but as the scrawny, overlooked freshman at Eastern Washington who was obsessed with eating eggs to add muscle mass. It's often used to justify views that Kupp is slow and dominates because of grit and route running. After getting drafted by the Rams in the seventh round, defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson gets a front-row seat next to the defensive lineman he tries to model his game after. video Calais Campbell's top. Watch LSU linebacker Devin White's Combine workout! As 40-yard dash times are clocked and vertical jumps are measured in the midwest, here's a look at how both recent rookies and seasoned veterans in the Rams' offense fared at their respective combine over the years. (AJ Mast via AP Images), Maine offensive lineman Jamil Demby runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. Texas A&M Aggies Devon Achane bulldozes a tackle dummy into the ground after a juke move at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Ryan Justin Kang for The New York Times / Harry How/Getty Images / Kevork Djansezian/Associated PressCredit As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Best of offensive lineman workouts from the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Option routes allow Kupp to use his shiftiness to size up a defender and choose which direction he will break off depending on the leverage. Watch the full on-field workout from TCU Horned Frogs offensive guard Steve Avila at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan), Michigan defensive back David Long runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. As the distance is also known, we can calculate the players speed over that distance. Kansas State Wildcats running back Deuce Vaughn ushers the running backs to the end-zone for an acrobatic group celebration to put an emphatic stamp on the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. All rights reserved. His vertical jump was 31 inches. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip), Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. Reply jackaracka . It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg), Wisconsin offensive lineman Rob Havenstein runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. came by way of the 2023 NFL Draft Ethan Evans, Round 7 Pick 223. (Ben Liebenberg via AP), California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. Really fast. At his pro day, he recorded a 3 cone L drill of 6.53 seconds. Cooper Kupp has played in 60 NFL games with the Rams. Rookie Draft Kit; . (AP Photo/Gregory Payan), University of Southern California linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. during the NFL Scouting Combine held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on February 23, 2009. Watch the full on-field workout from UCLA Bruins running back Zach Charbonnet at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Rewatch highlights from his performance at the combine five years ago, including his solid times in the three-cone drill and short shuttle, which measure short-area quickness. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy), Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Cooper Kupp https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/11/sports/football/cooper-kupp-rams-receiver.html, Ryan Justin Kang for The New York Times / Harry How/Getty Images / Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press. Watch the full on-field workout from Clemson Tigers tight end Davis Allen at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. ", Sharpe, who co-hosts with Skip Bayless, added he wasn't attempting to disparage Kupp who he called "fundamentally and technically sound. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings), Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. He was mostly incognito to big-time football. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The Los Angeles Rams select TCU cornerback Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson with the 182nd overall pick in Round 6 of the 2023 NFL Draft. By no means a good figure, the 40 is neither the first nor last word on wide receiver . The objective: See how many times a player can bench press 225 pounds. This correlates to a 3.3 score out of 10.0. In fact, this type of talk around Kupp has been ongoing for months and across all platforms from television to radio to social media. The Los Angeles Rams select BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua with the 177th overall pick in Round 5 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Sports Seriously: Rumors have begun to swirl that Jim Harbaugh is contemplating a return to the NFL. ", Pat McAfee also compared Kupp to Edelman. Kupp, the reigning AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, politely disagreed Wednesday when asked about the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver's take. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. He had a recorded height of 6016 that season, recorded as XYYZ where X is feet, YY is inches, and Z is eighths of an inch. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan), University of Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods looks on at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 24, 2013. If you added up all the hours that those two have spent together, one-on-one in the quarterback room, in that setting outside of the scheduled meeting time, it would make up a lot of time and people probably wouldnt even believe it, said Kevin OConnell, the Rams offensive coordinator, in a recent news conference. Cornerback's 5-foot-8, 178-pound frame didn't stop him from getting a scholarship to a Power Five program and later being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams. Angeles Rams' newest punter came by way of the 2023 NFL Draft Ethan Evans, Round 7 Pick 223. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy), Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. Rams Reporter Dani Klupenger is joined by the Voice of the Rams J.B. Long to answer your Rams free agent questions. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy), Texas A&M wide receiver Josh Reynolds runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington: Kupp's draftnik valuation has ridden a baby roller coaster this year. Dynasty Draft Kit; . Over 10 yards, we can calculate his speed in yards per second to 6.0. From afar, he has watched Kupp, a third-round draft pick in 2017, develop into a masterful route runner, a sure-handed catcher and a skillful blocker. He was picked in Round 5, Pick 161 in the 2023 NFL Draft. video Relive The Call: Rams WR Tutu Atwell gets his draft call from head coach Sean McVay (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg), Memphis running back Darrell Henderson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. 3 receiver and eventual starter.". Draft day was a special one for new Rams safety Jason Taylor II and family. The time he traveled the second ten yards at the Combine was 1.07 seconds. Cooper Kupp Combine numbers:Kupp measured just under 6-foot-2, and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds, which isn't that fast for a wide receiver. A list of the ten fastest 40-yard dash times at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. He wasnt the most explosive receiver in the class but hes shown in the last five seasons that athleticism isnt everything. New Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua thrived with the ball in his hands as both a pass-catcher and runner at BYU. He agreed with something often expressed about Kupp that says Kupp is"like another quarterback on the field." Learn how your comment data is processed. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Georgia Bulldogs running back Kenny McIntosh runs official 4.62-second 40-yard dash at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. He was measured at 6-2, 204 pounds. He is reporting on the Super Bowl from Los Angeles. Combine analysis:Another D. Too slow. During NFL Combine week, watch Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers' transformation to the pros. video Combine Highlights: Rams OT Joe Noteboom's workout at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine Mar 06, 2023 (AP Photo/Darron Cummings), California quarterback Jared Goff performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy), Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. The more time you can spend talking about football with somebody like him that just eats it up, its just going to be better for us, Stafford said. Edwards said Kupp in college studied mechanics from defensive linemens finesse pass-rush moves because he felt it would help him win his releases off the line of scrimmage against defensive backs. What we learned from Rams head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead's press conference following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Los Angeles Rams have selected Toledo defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson with the 259th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The NFL Draft is on NFLN/ABC/ESPN. The top prospects in the 2023 draft class are in Indianapolis this week for the NFL combine, a time for them to show their skills on the field and their character during interviews. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. As the distance is also known, we can calculate the players speed over that distance. This was a difference of 0.06 seconds from his projected time. During Combine week, watch highlights from Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.'s workout at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine. New Rams WR Puka Nacua on reaction to Draft call & styling his game after Cooper Kupp. (AJ Mast via AP Images), Boston Colllege defensive back John Johnson runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, March 6, 2017 in Indianapolis. Because he also recorded this metric at the Combine, his pro day did not count towards his RAS. Go behind the scenes with GM Les Snead at the 2019 NFL Combine, as he discusses preparing for the upcoming season. Stereotypes are the nuclear fission of hate and racism. INDIANAPOLIS -- The wide receivers participated in the bench press Friday at the NFLScouting Combine. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan), Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Dave Martin), Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe, left, blocks North Dakota State offensive lineman Joe Haeg during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. With the Rams out of the playoff picture and the team in shambles, Los Angeles put Kupp on the shelf. That run was one of the top 20 fastest for that week. There's also the problem of the reverse stereotype. (AJ Mast via AP Images), Boston Colllege defensive back John Johnson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. Taking into account the distance in feet (60 feet), we can calculate his speed in feet per second to 31.41. The Los Angeles Rams' newest cornerback Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson talks about being drafted, using his size to his advantage, and reuniting with former TCU teammates. Angeles Rams' newest punter came by way of the 2023 NFL Draft Ethan Evans, Round 7 Pick 223. Here is a look at the results, including top NFL Draft prospects like Corey Davis and Mike Williams: Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. McVay gives him easy opportunities to amass yards, such as screen passes where he gets the ball behind the line of scrimmage, with blockers in front paving the way for his runs. Jalen Ramsey did the same in 2016, standing out as one of the most physically gifted defensive backs. Breaking it down further, we can calculate his speed in inches per second to 376.96. Watch as Connecticut safety Obi Melifonwu lands a 11'9" broad jump. "People I think disrespect his speed," said Simms on Pro Football Talk. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. In many ways, the players are very similar. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy), California quarterback Jared Goff throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 in Indianapolis. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Watch as Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown, Tulsa Golden Hurricane running back Deneric Prince, East Carolina Pirates running back Keaton Mitchell, Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and Texas A&M Aggies running back Devon Achane post the top five fastest 40-yard dash times from the running backs invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. He recorded a weight of 204 in pounds, which is approximately 92 kilograms. It's also about how his whiteness has shaped perceptions of him and how thoseviews are based on stereotypes. 6-foot-2, 204 pounds. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy), Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. Newest addition to the defensive front, Desjuan Johnson, addressed the media shortly after being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams with the very last pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson runs the 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Mike Mayock on Cooper Kupp 'He's special', Cooper Kupp does a solid job at NFL Combine Coach Schuman Sports and Entertainment 41.1K subscribers Subscribe 4.1K 550K views 6 years ago See more. Ahead of NFL Combine week, watch Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald run the 40-yard dash at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. This correlates to a 3.53 score out of 10.0. 2023 Los Angeles Rams. His Wonderlic score was a 27. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Watch the full on-field workout from TCU Horned Frogs offensive guard Steve Avila at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Part of the NFL.com evaluation read: "His transition to NFL-level cornerbacks will take time, but he has the ability to become an early No. ", "Now I'm going to deal with thatwhite elephant in the room," said longtime journalist Bayless on the show. Speed is a luxury in my mind, quickness is a necessity, Kupp said in a news conference this week. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp goes through workouts at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine. He hit 20.07 mph during a 43-yard catch against the Colts in Week 2. In much of today's media world, on the football shows and opinion ones, white receivers look alike and run alike. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. End note.) He played college football at Eastern Washington, where he won the Walter Payton Award as a junior, and was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Combine Results; Overall; 40-Yard Dash; Bench Press; Vertical Jump; Broad Jump; 20-Yard Shuttle; Dynasty . There isn't a huge chasm when it comes to speed, the first player jumpedhigher, while the second is slightly taller and quicker. Check out our other channels:NFL Mundo https://www.youtube.com/mundonflNFL Brasil https://www.youtube.com/c/NFLBrasilOficialNFL UK https://www.youtube.com/ch. That correlates to 6 feet, 1 and 6/8 of an inch or 73.75 inches, or 187.325 centimeters. Watch the full on-field workout from Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. At the Combine, he recorded a 40 yard dash of 4.62 seconds. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg), Texas running back Malcolm Brown runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. Ahead of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, watch Los Angeles Rams WR Robert Woods' combine workout in 2013. 1, 2019. This player put up 750 receiving yards or more in a single season at least once in his NFL career. 259 overall. Kupp likewise went above and beyond to acclimate Stafford after the Rams traded for him last January. Its an important step in the pre-draft process, one each player will try to take advantage of. . Please check your email for a confirmation. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan), Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe during the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. Watch the full on-field workout from Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Lacks top-end speed and strength. getting the Draft call & talks about his excitement to learn from Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. The Los Angeles Rams went downtown to scout the best Trojans at Southern California's Pro Day. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Sharpe and Bayless are far from the only broadcasters to have this type of discussion. (Note: For the record, I really like Sharpe and Bayless both as broadcasters and people. Because he also recorded this metric at the Combine, his pro day did not count towards his RAS. Watch the full on-field workout from IIlinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. He wasn't the most explosive . In an interview at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine with NFL Network's Stacey Dales, Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones reveals his "dark horse" running back in the 2023 NFL Draft class. Underrated Section of the 2017 RSP. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The Los Angeles Rams went to the Bruins' campus for a rainy UCLA Pro Day. The time he traveled the last twenty yards at the Combine was 1.93 seconds. They were both at the 2017 scouting combine in Indianapolis and years later would become two of the biggest stars in the NFL.