MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The agent for Nick Kwiatkoski claims the West Virginia linebacker can improve on the 4.73 time he ran at NFL combine, though that speed may have satisfied some scouts.
“People thought he was a 4.8 linebacker, so getting in the 4.7s helped,” said Kwiatkoski’s representative John Thornton, himself a former NFL veteran who played at WVU. “Nick weighed in heavier than he did at the Senior Bowl, which is good for people who view him as a Mike linebacker. He carried the extra weight well and he ran a solid time.”
Listed at 238 last season, Kwiatkoski weighed 243 in Indianapolis. His 40-yard time, which ranked 14th among 31 linebackers who ran at the combine, was comparable to Alabama’s projected first-rounder Reggie Ragland (4.72) and faster than Missouri’s Kentrell Brothers (4.89), Oklahoma’s Erik Striker (4.8), Arizona’s Scooby Wright (4.9).
“He may run his 40 again at (West Virginia’s) pro day,” Thornton said. “I think he can hit a lower number. I’m pretty sure he can get in the 4.6s.”
Watch the Gold & Blue Lunch Report to check out the 40 times of other West Virginia players at the combine, ranging from slow (Daryl Worley) to fast (K.J. Dillon) to fastest (Wendell Smallwood).
Kwiatkoski’s 19 bench-press reps and 32-inch vertical jump tied for 13th in both categories, while he completed the 20-yard shuttle in 4.2 seconds, tied for fifth at the position.
“He probably could’ve done better on the bench,” Thornton said, “but I thought he ran well compared to other guys at his position, and he jumped well and he had a good shuttle time.”
Kwiatkoski played all three linebacker spots in West Virginia’s 3-3-5 stack, and managed to lead the team in tackles for each of his three years as a starter. He spent last season at the Will outside—showing improved coverage skills with three interceptions and seven pass breakups—though in the NFL he’ll likely wind up manning the middle, per Mountaineers defensive coordinator Tony Gibson, who projects a 10-year career.