The NFL Scouting Combine is a great opportunity for under-the-radar prospects to turn heads from media members and scouts alike, which is exactly what Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske was able to do on Thursday night.
After a strong showing at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Fiske showed up to Indianapolis and immediately turned heads during his workout. After participating in multiple drills, he finished the day leading all defensive tackles in the 40-yard dash (4.78 seconds), vertical jump (33.5 inches), and broad jump (117 inches). He also posted a strong score in the 20-yard shuttle at 4.37 seconds.
The NFL's official account posted a video of Fiske's workout via X.
.@FSUFootball's Braden Fiske led all DTs in the:
- 40-yard dash (4.78)
- Vertical jump (33.5")
- Broad jump (9'9")?: #NFLCombine continues today at 3pm ET on NFL Network
?: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2tscM4pGWT— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2024
Prior to turning heads at Florida State, Fiske was a second-team All-MAC standout for the Western Michigan Broncos. He transferred to Florida State in 2023 and became an immediate impact player for the Seminoles, racking up 43 total tackles and six sacks on his way to second-team All-ACC honors.
An undersized DL prospect at 6'4" and 294 pounds, Fiske wins more off speed than power. He's a tremendously quick athlete capable of sidestepping offensive linemen to quickly get into the backfield and wreak havoc on opposing offenses. His motor allows him to stay in the play throughout the whistle, and his relentlessness is something that scouts and coaches will love.
That being said, Fiske will need a very specific fit to thrive in the NFL. Given his size and skill set, a team needing a penetrating one-gap defensive lineman would be wise to bring him in, rather than a team needing more of a powerful anchor in the trenches.
Fiske is currently DL6 and the 66th overall prospect on the consensus big board, but that could change quickly after such a strong outing at the Combine. The coming months will give Florida State fans a better look at how high Fiske could climb.
