Pitt DT Calijah Kancey Stuns Combine with Blazing 40-Yard Dash

INDIANAPOLIS — When Calijah Kancey measured in at 6-foot-1, 281 pounds Thursday afternoon, it was a good day. But it would get so much better.

Kancey, at 281 pounds, ran an official 4.67 40-yard dash Thursday inside Lucas Oil Stadium — breaking a record formerly held by Aaron Donald.

Kancey’s 4.67 was the fastest time by a defensive lineman at the NFL Combine since 2000, continuing a very, very good week out in Indianapolis for the prospective first round pick.

Couple of @Pitt_FB DLs on the Simulcam. 🤝@Ckancey8 | @AaronDonald97

📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/0y224YXeA5

— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023

"Today I ran the 40. I killed it."

You sure did, @Ckancey8. 😂 @Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/7TRaZu516r

— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023

CALIJAH KANCEY OFFICIAL MEASUREMENTS

Height: 6010
Weight: 281
Arms: 30 5/8
Hands: 9 1/4

While Kancey’s arms may be short, his height and weight both exceeded expectations. And even after telling reporters Wednesday to stay tuned when it came to his 40-yard dash time, he exceeded expectations once again.

Kancey will not be running any further field drills in Indianapolis, but he will be in action during Pitt’s Pro Day in March.

Kancey was the first Pitt player to earn unanimous All-American status since Donald did back in 2013.

With 31 tackles (17 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in the 2022 season, despite playing in just 11 games, Kancey finished second in the ACC in tackles for loss and third in sacks as an interior defensive lineman — cementing himself as perhaps the top interior rusher in college football.

In his Pitt career, through just three seasons, Kancey recorded 91 tackles (52 solo), 34.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.

He was Pitt’s first ACC Defensive Player of the Year since Aaron Donald in 2013 and also earned finalist positions for the Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophies — and was awarded College Football Network’s Defensive Tackle of the Year.

“Calijah has been absolutely outstanding all season long and is highly deserving of (DPoY),” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said in a release in 2022. “As both a run-stopper and rushing the passer, he has been tremendous. On behalf of our entire program, I want to congratulate Calijah on receiving this award. He has absolutely earned it.”

Click for more from Steelers Now’s coverage of the 2023 NFL Combine.