UConn’s Peart makes strong first impression at NFL scouting combine
Matt Peart stood up again a wall, raised his arms to the side and tried not to chuckle at the reaction of the assembled NFL scouts.
Before doing the bench press on Thursday and various speed and agility tests on Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine, it is safe to say the four-year starting offensive tackle at UConn made quite the impression during offensive linemen measurements.
Among the offensive linemen at the combine in Indianapolis, Peart had the longest arms at just a shade under 37 inches and his 861⁄2-inch wingspan was second only to South Carolina State’s Alex Taylor.
“I lifted my hands and I saw a lot of heads go down from that standpoint,” Peart said with a laugh. “It is definitely awesome, it is an added benefit when it comes to playing tackle.”
The lineman with the best wingspan from the 2019 combine is currently playing in the XFL, so having long arms won’t check all the boxes for scouts. But arm length is certainly something NFL scouts value in offensive linemen.
Peart has been working out in Florida in recent months, preparing for the combine. He drew rave reviews for his performance at the Senior Bowl and some consider Peart a darkhorse candidate to be taken in the first round. The three days of testing at the combine is the next step in Peart’s journey, as he could become the first UConn offensive player taken in the first 100 picks in the NFL Draft since running back Donald Brown went 27th overall to Indianapolis in 2009.
“It is really amazing.
Being put up against the top talent in the country is really something spectacular,” said Peart, who started 48 career games at UConn. “It is a nice feeling knowing that all the hard work that you put in is coming to fruition.”
Peart is just one of four players with Connecticut ties taking part in this year’s combine.
New London’s AJ Dillon turned pro after leading the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing yards per game as a sophomore and junior at Boston College. He was edged out by former Louisville quarterback and 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson for the 2017 ACC rushing title.
TCU offensive tackle Lucas Niang of New Canaan and Auburn offensive tackle Jack Driscoll of Madison are also in Indianapolis although Niang told reporters on Thursday that the hip surgery that ended his 2019 season kept him from training for the combine so he won’t be going through drills.
It is extra special for Driscoll since his father John took part in the 1988 NFL combine.
“I am glad to be here and it is something I have grown up watching,” said Driscoll, who started 20 games at UMass and 25 at Auburn. “My dad was here back in the 80s, so it is always cool to have that that kind of history as well. It is a lot of hard work paying off and it is just the beginning. I understand that there is a lot more work to be done, a lot left to prove. I am trying to enjoy the process. You only go through it once.”
So what advice did Driscoll get from his father?
“He said just make sure you stay loose, be relaxed because a lot of times you have to adapt, things might be changing, schedules may change, but you have to be open to everything and have a good time,” Driscoll said. “Meet the guys. These are the guys you are going to be in the NFL with, your future friends, and just try to take it all in. Everybody who grows up watching the combine dreams of being here, so it is a cool thing.”
Peart, Driscoll and Niang could all be taken in the top three rounds in the draft, which is being held from Aug. 23-25 in Las Vegas.