SDSU’s Damontae Kazee ‘enjoyed every little bit’ of combine, will be limited at Pro Day
Former San Diego State cornerback Damontae Kazee, a projected Day 3 selection in the 2017 NFL draft, walked away from the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine with his head held high.
“Going into [the combine], you’re going to be very nervous,” Kazee said. “You’re going to be very tired, but I enjoyed every little bit. I thought it was so fun when we got to the field and competed with one on another.”
Despite the nerves, Kazee exceeded expectations in all of the on-field drills at the combine, displaying strong hip fluidity and athleticism. He also impressed NFL personnel with his 4.54-second mark in the 40-yard dash, 124-inch leap at broad jump and 11 reps at bench press.
Fox College Football’s lead analyst Charles Davis went as far as to say Kazee was one of his favorite cornerbacks entering the 2017 NFL draft while commentating the event on Monday.
Because of his successful efforts in Indianapolis, Kazee will not take part in the bench press or the broad jump portion of SDSU’s Pro Day on Mar. 23. He is still discussing whether he will run the 40-yard dash again in San Diego with his agent.
Off the field, Kazee also enjoyed the extensive interview process with several NFL teams at the combine. He emphasized that the interviews helped him see how the NFL isn’t all fun and games.
“It’s a business at the end of the day,” Kazee said. “You need to go in there and shake their hands and look them dead in the eye. Don’t slouch back in your chair. You have to be grown man at the end of the day.”
At 5-feet, 10-inches and 184 pounds, Kazee likely couldn’t afford to slouch in his chair for more reasons than one, as his small stature is reason for concern. Without great length, he will be limited to a nickel cornerback role in the NFL to keep him away from the taller, stronger wide receivers outside the hashes.
Kazee, however, will welcome any role thrown his way with open arms.
“I’m pretty sure I’m going to be playing nickel just because of my size and my weight,” Kazee said. “And, I’m for it. I’m for whatever position they want to put me in. I don’t care if it’s long snapper.”
Though it’s unlikely Kazee is asked to snap the ball at the next level, his willingness to do whatever it takes to play on Sundays is admirable, especially when paired with his strong performance at the combine.
