2023 Elite Football Combine: Top 40 Times

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>The 15th annual Elite Football Combine took place on Saturday March 18th in St. Louis at the Lou Fusz Center with players from across the state, region and country attending to learn, test and compete with the best in the Midwest. I will be providing pieces on the top performers from the combine in the various events, along with each position and class. Here is a look at the players with the top 40 yard dash times at the event.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='299403' first='Justin' last='Thurman'] | 6'0" 181 | RB | 2025 |Tampa Jesuit |</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":738952,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Elite-Football-Combine-2023-03-17-127.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-738952" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The former De Smet Spartan returned to St. Louis after moving last summer for the event he participated in last year and killed it. He came away the faster man at the combine with a blazing 4.41 forty time, and also was a top performer in other testing. This week he picked up offers from Rutgers and Tennessee. A dangerous running back, receiver and kick returner who looks ready to blow up nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='419226' first='Royce' last='Searcy'] | 5'8" 161 | WR | 2027 |</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":738960,"width":382,"height":416,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/IMG_2261-1.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-738960" width="382" height="416" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This eight grade receiver prospect is a name to remember with a very bright future. Searcy has been a middle school standout and is currently playing with the Boom Football Midwest 7v7 team. It was the combine where he exploded with a 4.5 forty time that made heads turn. On top of that he possesses great receiving and playmaking skills, and is a very good return man where he can use that speed. More on Searcy when the top 2027's are released. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353071' first='Zai'Aire' last='Thomas'] | 5'5" 155 | RB | 2025 | Cape Central | </strong><br><br><br><br>The speedy sophomore running back helped lead his Tigers to a nice playoff run in 2022 behinds his talents. Thomas has been known for his speed since middle school and came out as one of the fastest players at this year's combine with his 4.57 forty time. He was one of the top athletes overall testing well in every event. <br><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='126277' first='Kendall' last='Gurley'] | 5'8" 165 | WR/CB | 2024 | Francis Howell | </strong><br>Another speedster who cracked the 4.5 forty range was the talented Gurley with hi 4.58 run he made at the combine. Kendall is another player who has the skills to match the speed on offense, defense and special teams, and played an important role in helping his Vikings with a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='668864' first='Bleyne' last='Bryant'] | 6'2" 190 | ATH | 2024 | Bowling Green |</strong><br>Bryant came to the combine with the rep of being one of the top athletes in his class in the state and he did not disappoint. His 4.6 forty was enough to put him in the top 5 overall for the best 40 yard dashes run at the combine. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Best of the Rest </strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Hayden Miller WR 4.63 2024 South Bend (IN) St. Joseph </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Darron Boone DE 4.64 2027 Lutheran North </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='125256' first='Landon' last='Boston'] RB 4.65 2024 Washington</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='185609' first='Joseph' last='Federer'] QB 4.66 2024 Marquette</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1124869' first='Nathan' last='Hatcher'] WR 4.67 2025 De Smet</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='263502' first='Ryver' last='Peppers'] RB 4.68 2025 Ft. Osage </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Tucker Murphy WR 4.69 Freeburg (IL) </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->