Canadian offensive lineman Isaiah Adams is the latest former U Sports player to impress at the NFL Combine, posting solid numbers in Indianapolis on Sunday.
The native of Ajax, Ont. measured in at six-foot-four and 315 pounds with an 81 7/8-inch wingspan, 33 7/8-inch arms and nine-inch hands. He clocked an official 5.22-second forty-yard dash with a 1.80-second ten-yard split, while leaping 24.5 inches in the vertical and eight feet, six inches in the broad.
The Canadian standout also ran a 7.77-second three-cone and 4.73-second short shuttle. He put up 22 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Adams has spent the last two seasons at the University of Illinois after he began his collegiate career at Wilfrid Laurier University, starting at left tackle as a true freshman in 2019. The Golden Hawks standout transferred to Garden City Community College during the pandemic, allowing him to jump to the NCAA.
Since joining the Fighting Illini, the Canadian blocker has started 25 consecutive games. He was a third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2022 as the left guard and helped pave the way for fellow countryman Chase Brown in the run game. He bumped to right tackle in 2023 and was an All-Big Ten honourable mention, finishing his career with 42 total pressures allowed on 992 pass-blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
Adams participated in the prestigious Senior Bowl all-star game last month in Mobile, Alabama and was recently named the top prospect in the 2024 CFL Draft according to the league’s winter Scouting Bureau rankings. He is expected to be selected on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, decreasing his stock north of the border.
Three other Canadians have taken part in the 2024 NFL Combine, with Howard offensive lineman Anim Dankwah — a former minor football teammate of Adams — also undergoing testing on Sunday. Tight ends Theo Johnson and Tanner McLachlan tested on Friday, both finishing near the top of their position group. Five Canadians were invited to last year’s NFL Combine, all of whom were selected as part of a historic NFL Draft class.
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place in Detroit, Mich. from April 25 to 27.