KNOXVILLE - When six former Tennessee football players competed in the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis the past four days, there were few surprises.
As expected, running back Alvin Kamara thrived in that setting.
Very little slowed defensive end Derek Barnett throughout his time with the Volunteers, so an illness wasn't going to stop him from preparing for the next level.
Quarterback Josh Dobbs, wide receiver Josh Malone, linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin and cornerback Cameron Sutton also took advantage of their opportunities in the NFL's showcase pre-draft event.
Kamara showed his explosiveness with position-best numbers in the broad jump (10 feet, 11 inches) and vertical jump (39.5 inches) and a 4.56-second 40-yard dash time to help him solidify his place among the top running back prospects in the draft - with LSU's Leonard Fournette, Florida State's Dalvin Cook and Stanford's Christian McCaffrey.
After receiving multiple first-round projections and generating plenty of pre-combine buzz, Kamara's performance in Indianapolis won't slow his momentum, and NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks, a former NFL player and scout, called Kamara "one of the fastest risers in the draft" and dubbed his performance "spectacular."
"I was told he crushed the interview portion of the event, exhibiting a high football IQ and energetic personality," Brooks reported. "Coaches raved about his understanding of the game, including pass protection and with run-blocking schemes. On the field, he flashed enough explosiveness to affirm his explosive potential as a triple threat (runner, receiver and returner).
"He also showcased remarkable receiving skills while shagging balls as a slot receiver at the end of the workout. Considering the buzz surrounding his name at this event, I firmly believe Kamara is being considered by teams as one of the top running backs in the draft."
Barnett, also a projected first-round pick, was sidelined by sickness Saturday, and though he wasn't feeling well he still participated in all the events and on-field workouts with the rest of the defensive line group Sunday.
"I wanted to come out and perform, because I know this is an important job interview," Barnett explained during an interview with the NFL Network. "A lot of people would die to be here, and I wanted to make the most of the opportunity I got. I just grinded it out, came out here and did my best."
NFL personnel and analysts were curious to see how Barnett would test, and he ran a 4.88-second 40 and recorded respectable marks in the broad jump (9 feet, 9 inches) and vertical jump (33 inches) before looking more at home in the positional work, from pass-rush and agility drills to dropping into coverage.
Still not 100 percent after shoulder surgery in the fall, Reeves-Maybin elected to participate only in linebacker drills later Sunday, and though he showed his athletic ability and speed in those drills, questions will linger about his health.
During his combine media interviews, Malone admitted to going against the advice of the NFL's draft advisory board in choosing to leave Tennessee after his breakout junior season.
"They said come back to school," Malone said Friday, according to The Tennessean in Nashville. "I just took the chance. I felt like this was probably the best opportunity that I had.
"I had a good year and my quarterback (Dobbs) was leaving. That was the biggest thing. Playing with freshman quarterbacks that really don't have much playing experience is hard, and going through the freshman growing pains. That's just, that's a lot of risk."
Malone helped his case by running a 4.40-second 40, the third-fastest among wide receivers at the combine behind Washington John Ross (4.22, a new combine record) and Ohio State's Curtis Samuel (4.31).
Dobbs' 4.64-second 40 was the second-fastest among quarterbacks, and he was consistently accurate during the throwing sessions with the receivers as he continues to answer questions about his ability and improve his stock.
NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said Dobbs is one of the more intriguing quarterbacks beyond the top five in this class - Clemson's Deshaun Watson, North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky, Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes III, Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer and California's Davis Webb - because he's "a developmental player with starter traits."
On Monday, Sutton ran a 4.56-second 40 and looked smooth during position drills for the defensive backs, but the loaded draft class at his position makes it difficult to forecast where he'll wind up.
Tennessee's pro day is March 31.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.