INDIANAPOLIS -- Finally, the turf at LucasOil Stadium got some attention at the 2016 NFL Combine.
After three days of behind-the-scenes evaluations, interviews and measurements, the first batch of players took to the field for a slew of drills. Today's events featured the offensive linemen and running backs, the first to arrive and first to leave Indianapolis.
Here's what stood out on the field and in the media room.
RB Derrick Henry shows just how athletic he is
Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry didn't run the fastest 40-yard dash Friday, but his time made the most headlines.
At a chiseled 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, Henry clocked in at 4.54 seconds, good for 11th among running backs. His 37-inch vertical leap was fifth-best and his 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump was good for a tie for second.
Henry proved what many already knew about him: He's an athletic freak.
"I feel like I can do better at everything, but the questions are my quickness, catching the ball, my protection," Henry said Wednesday. "I definitely want to get better at that and showcase that I can do things like that, but I know I need to work on that."
Brutal honesty guiding Robert Nkemdiche, Noah Spence at Combine
There's no questioning the talent of Ole Miss' Robert Nkemdiche and Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence. Both are considered to be among the best overall prospects in this year's draft class, Nkemdiche a versatile defensive lineman and Spence a pass-rushing end.
Off-the-field incidents in their past, though, have served as a storyline surrounding each of them. And the questions only begin when they're in the media room.
"I'm just telling the truth," said Spence, who was dismissed from Ohio State before he transferred to Eastern Kentucky. "My whole story, it's all out there. I'm just not holding anything back."
Nkemdiche said he's gauged most NFL teams are primarily concerned with his character and not with what he accomplished on the field.
"I've cleared it up with every team," he said. "I just plan to keep moving forward."
Why Paxton Lynch can't wait to throw
Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, whom many lump with Cal's Jared Goff and North Dakota State's Carson Wentz as one of the top quarterbacks in this year's draft class, said it was "very important" to participate in all of Saturday's throwing drills.
In recent years, a number of top quarterback prospects have opted to pass on passing at the Combine and instead throw at their respective Pro Days. This year's crop is bucking that trend.
"It's so close with all the quarterbacks," Lynch said. "There's really no guy who's standing out right now. So any little edge you can get to compete against these guys, whether it's throwing or agility or any of that stuff, you kind of want to take advantage of that. So whenever I first got invited to the combine, it was a no-brainer for me that I was going to throw just because I want to be able to compete and go show all those coaches and GMs what they could get in person when I'm throwing to receivers live.
"I know those guys are going to be ready to compete and it should be a lot of fun."
Keith Marshall wins the day
Keith Marshall's career at Georgia didn't go as planned.
He teamed with Todd Gurley in a dynamic, one-two freshman punch out of the backfield in 2012, rushing for 759 yards and eight touchdowns, but was never able to recapture that kind of production. Serious injuries ended his sophomore and junior seasons before their respective midpoints, and he served as a second or third option in 2015.
On Friday, everything went perfectly for the under-the-radar running back.
Marshall ran the fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.31 seconds. This came one day after he registered 25 repetitions on the bench press, the most of any running back.
Heading into Friday, CBSSports.com ranked Marshall as the 38th-best running back in this year's draft class. Whether or not a great couple of days in Indianapolis changes that remains to be seen.
Quote of the day
With a shaved head and thick beard, A'Shawn Robinson, at 6-foot-3 and 312 pounds, looks nothing like a 20-year-old.
Asked if he grew out his beard and shaved his head to give himself a more intimidating presence, Robinson, a former Alabama defensive tackle, flashed a smile that isn't often seen between the lines.
"I got into college and I was going bald. So it was time to shave," Robinson said. "I don't really smile too often so people were like, 'That dude looks old! He looks like he's about 40 years old!' So I just was, 'OK. I like it.' So it's cool, looking old."
