A little strength - Louisville DT Thor Griffith (6'2, 320) did 42 bench reps at his pro day

[xwalker]

For reference, Larry Allen did 42 reps....

I've never hear of anyone doing more, although I'm certain someone has.

Larry's shoulder was jacked up from a knife wound that he got as a kid. He had surgery on it early in his Cowboys career (I think the surgery was after his rookie season).

Story:
"At age 10, while defending his younger brother, Larry Allen was stabbed multiple times in the head, shoulder, and neck by a young neighbor in Compton, California. "

 

[xwalker]

One of the sleeper prospects I've been keeping an eye on. I can't find info about whatever his 40 was, but he did run a confirmed 4.95 40 last year/4.57 shuttle. State champion wrestler.







84.3 PFF grade.

He's a really good run stuffer. His strength is obvious.

He doesn't have any pass rushing moves. He relies solely on strength. But, he is quick off the snap. Every once in a while he makes a freakish play in the backfield, but he's still inconsistent in the passing game.

I think he could contribute pretty quickly as a 1-Tech and could be had in the later rounds.

Those short 1-tech DTs with short-arms have fooled me a few times. Look incredible in college but get engulfed in the NFL. It works for a few of them but most often they struggle. Ken Bishop comes to mind.

With 3tech DTs, it is different. If they have enough quickness, then length is not always an issue (AD).

 

[America's Cowboy]

One of the sleeper prospects I've been keeping an eye on. I can't find info about whatever his 40 was, but he did run a confirmed 4.95 40 last year/4.57 shuttle. State champion wrestler.







84.3 PFF grade.

He's a really good run stuffer. His strength is obvious.

He doesn't have any pass rushing moves. He relies solely on strength. But, he is quick off the snap. Every once in a while he makes a freakish play in the backfield, but he's still inconsistent in the passing game.

I think he could contribute pretty quickly as a 1-Tech and could be had in the later rounds.

42 bench reps is whole lot more than Mazi Smith's 34 which led all DTs during the 2024 Combine. 42 bench reps from Thor Griffith is only 1 rep short of Larry Allen's 43 bench reps. Igor Olshansky did 41 bench press reps.

 

[gimmesix]

One of the sleeper prospects I've been keeping an eye on. I can't find info about whatever his 40 was, but he did run a confirmed 4.95 40 last year/4.57 shuttle. State champion wrestler.







84.3 PFF grade.

He's a really good run stuffer. His strength is obvious.

He doesn't have any pass rushing moves. He relies solely on strength. But, he is quick off the snap. Every once in a while he makes a freakish play in the backfield, but he's still inconsistent in the passing game.

I think he could contribute pretty quickly as a 1-Tech and could be had in the later rounds.

Yeah, I've been going for him early in the fifth. Get a 3-tech earlier then take him to battle/rotate at 1-tech.

 

[CWR]

This guy tied Larry Allen , I would have to find a way to draft this player and let him rotate in at nose tackle .This guy may become your starter at one technique ,you may be able to draft Griffith in the 5th round.

Yeah man, I know it's not a total measurement of strength but if old boy goes 40+ on bench I'd wager he can squat a bus. Sign me up.

 

[Creeper]

Strength is one of those characteristics you cannot teach. Of course a player needs more than just brute strength but it is a good start.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Highest bench rep I can recall. That's some serious strength.

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/brodrick-bunkley

 

[John813]

Those short 1-tech DTs with short-arms have fooled me a few times. Look incredible in college but get engulfed in the NFL. It works for a few of them but most often they struggle. Ken Bishop comes to mind.

With 3tech DTs, it is different. If they have enough quickness, then length is not always an issue (AD).

My thoughts too.
Could be another Harrison Phillips DT. Solid run stopper. Which in day 3 is a good land. But, IIRC Phillips was a bit more accomplished as a pass rusher in college.
Maybe a bit better athlete than Phillips, but both were very good wrestlers before going the football route.

 

[gtb1943]

I am always skeptical that short arms are as vital as some claim. Now if we are talking T Rex like Phil Costa, I can see it.

But an inch or two really cannot be that important. There are people in the HOF that supposedly had short arms.

Being a wrestler and very good with his hands, I think this is a guy who we can use a day three pick on

Bottom line is we need a NT that can plug the center of the D,

so many here whine and cry about pass rush when its the Run D that has doomed us game after game

 

[Carson]

Draft him and Desmond Watson and immediately shut down tush push

 

[CCBoy]

I like that he was a wrestler with in trench instincts. What does he bench, total? He is strong. He qualifies for a good trash can full of dirt. I just don't care for the Hillybilly back drop and their tipping points to explode. Just ask him a Hampshire or Duroc?

 

[DoctorChicken]

Those short 1-tech DTs with short-arms have fooled me a few times. Look incredible in college but get engulfed in the NFL. It works for a few of them but most often they struggle. Ken Bishop comes to mind.

With 3tech DTs, it is different. If they have enough quickness, then length is not always an issue (AD).

Bust is definitely more likely than long term professional. I’m looking at him as a 5th rounder, at the earliest.

I just think the strength is undeniable, the short area quickness is there, and he gets off the snap well.

I’d be interested to see what he looks like after refining his pass rushing.

 

[DoctorChicken]

Those short 1-tech DTs with short-arms have fooled me a few times. Look incredible in college but get engulfed in the NFL. It works for a few of them but most often they struggle. Ken Bishop comes to mind.

With 3tech DTs, it is different. If they have enough quickness, then length is not always an issue (AD).

If that pass rush win rate metric is true, it’s an encouraging number.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Those short 1-tech DTs with short-arms have fooled me a few times. Look incredible in college but get engulfed in the NFL. It works for a few of them but most often they struggle. Ken Bishop comes to mind.

With 3tech DTs, it is different. If they have enough quickness, then length is not always an issue (AD).

Ive been trying to find some arm length info. I haven't found anything. I did find something before about him having short arms but couldn't find it again

He is a very interesting guy. Is he a starter or a high end rotation player? I like him better as a penetrator, but thats going to take work at the NFL level. I agree with NFL Draft Buzz's assessment that he might take a redshift year in the NFL and that could push him to one of our 5th's or 6th's. I think he would be a great get there, but his burst may have a team overdrafting him too

 

[CCBoy]

Larry's shoulder was jacked up from a knife wound that he got as a kid. He had surgery on it early in his Cowboys career (I think the surgery was after his rookie season).

Story:
"At age 10, while defending his younger brother, Larry Allen was stabbed multiple times in the head, shoulder, and neck by a young neighbor in Compton, California. "

700 pound bench...I don't believe this.

 

[CCBoy]

Bust is definitely more likely than long term professional. I’m looking at him as a 5th rounder, at the earliest.

I just think the strength is undeniable, the short area quickness is there, and he gets off the snap well.

I’d be interested to see what he looks like after refining his pass rushing.

Trash can full of dirt while on the first 3 years.