Workout stars among picks by Dolphins
In the summer of 2016, Arizona State
DAVIE — wide receiver Tim White was beaten by running back Kalen Ballage in a race to determine the fastest player on the team.
Ballage is 6 feet 2, 228 pounds.
“Kalen, man, he’s a beast,” White told the
Arizona Republic then. “That dude’s first two steps are monstrous.”
White is 4 inches shorter and 53 pounds lighter.
Ballage somehow lasted to the fourth round of the NFL draft, and the Miami Dolphins snapped him up Saturday with the pick obtained from Philadelphia for Jay Ajayi. Whatever the reason for Ballage’s slippage, it had nothing to do with the fact he is a physical speci
men.
Ballage is a workout warrior. Ballage is a physical freak.
“I tested very well,” Ballage told Miami media after the selection. “I had a great pro day and had a good Combine. I do think that maybe (running backs drafted higher) probably had more
opportunities than me. Maybe they had a lot more carries (in college).”
No doubt Miami coach Adam Gase was heavily involved in the selection of Ballage, who once scored eight touchdowns in a game for Arizona State. No doubt Gase’s eyes opened wide when he watched Ballage work out.
At the Combine, Ballage was:
■ Third among running backs in the 40-yard dash at 4.46 seconds;
■ Fifth among running backs in the vertical jump at 10 feet, 2 inches;
■ Fourth among running backs in the three-cone drill at 6.91 seconds.
The Dolphins entered this draft needing to add athleticism, explosiveness and overall speed.
Miami did just that. Especially on offense.
In the second round, Miami selected Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki, one of the best-testing tight ends in NFL Combine history.
Consider that Gesicki, at 6-6, 247 pounds, was:
■ First among tight ends in the 40-yard dash at 4.54 seconds;
■ Second among tight ends in the bench press with 22 reps;
■ First among tight ends in the broad jump at 10 feet, 9 inches;
■ First among tight ends in the three-cone drill at 6.76 seconds;
■ First among tight ends in the 20-yard shuttle at 4.10 seconds;
■ First among tight ends in the 60-yard shuttle at 11.33 seconds.
“My history of playing sports — whether it be football, basketball, volleyball, running track in middle school — it’s all given me an opportunity to be where I am today and helped me to be the athlete I am today and the player on the field that I am,” Gesicki said after the Miami selection.
According to NFL Research, Gesicki is taller than receiver Calvin Johnson, stronger than offensive lineman Donald
Penn, faster than wide receiver Antonio Brown and a better vertical jumper than receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
That’s a freak. And we mean that as the ultimate compliment.