AUBURN, Ala. – A two-time captain, Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe made headlines at the 2023 NFL Combine when he ran the 40-yard dash in a time typically reserved for running backs, receivers and defensive backs.
4.39 seconds.
"After the Combine, I've been getting a lot of calls from different teams, a whole bunch of meetings," Pappoe said after his Auburn Pro Day workout on March 21.
A dozen teams reached out, Pappoe said, after his NFL Combine performance.
After injuries limited his 2021 season, Pappoe returned with a vengeance last season, recording 91 tackles with three TFL and two sacks.
"Auburn is going to have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life," said Pappoe before his showstopping Combine performance. "Building a relationship with everybody there. Great town, every time I'm walking around, people show love all the time, taking pictures and giving me words of encouragement. I learned a lot while I was there and I'm never going to forget it."
During his four seasons on the Plains (2019-22), Pappoe made eight career sacks, 15 TFL and 256 tackles, a productive resume for NFL front offices to consider.
"They're looking at a guy who's very serious about his craft," Pappoe said. "I'm going to be putting in extra work to make sure that I'm going to be the best I can be for the team. I'm looking forward to my rookie season, earning the respect of everyone in the organization knowing I could potentially be a guy to help lead that defense.
"Just put my head down and work, earn the trust of the vets around me. Let them know I'm serious about my craft. The sky's the limit from there."
Pappoe plans to monitor the NFL Draft with his family.
"Find a nice Airbnb, have the family over for a watch party," he said. "It's going to be really cool."
When the call comes, it will culminate years of preparation.
"Really emotional," Pappoe said. "I can't wait. I'm hoping to go to a really good team that has a great culture, somewhere I'll fit in well. I just can't wait to let it loose on the next level."
During breaks in his NFL career, Pappoe plans to stay connected to Plains, taking advantage of Auburn's new Woltosz Football Performance Center.
"I'm jealous," he said. "I'm going to come back a lot. I've got an apartment so I'm going to be able to come through, pop in on the meetings whenever they let me and work out in the weight room."
A team leader who persevered through coaching changes and injuries, Owen Pappoe eagerly anticipates the 2023 NFL Draft April 27-29.
"It's a dream come true," he said. "I'm finally walking in my dreams and living them. All we can do now is wait for the draft and see what happens."
NFL Combine
40-yard dash: 4.39 seconds
Bench press: 29
Vertical jump: 35.5"
Broad jump: 10' 6"
Owen Pappoe was feeling it after running a 4.46u. 😜 @AuburnFootball
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/LEgF4eCzfz
Draft Analysis
I'm a tick lower on Pappoe than others, and I did not see his combine workout coming. Hats off to the Auburn strength and conditioning program, by the way. He delivers monstrous hits upon contact, but overall, I want to see more of a consistent motor and block-shedding ability. He'll be a weapon as a blitzer and has deceptive coverage skills too.
- Chris Trapasso, CBS (@ChrisTrapasso)
Signature MomentIn one of the most electric environments at Jordan-Hare Stadium in recent seasons, Owen Pappoe provided an early jolt.
When Auburn hosted Texas A&M on Nov. 12, 2022, in Carnell Williams' first home game as interim head coach, Pappoe helped the Tigers claim momentum early in a 13-10 win.
His third-down sack forced a punt that led to a Tigers' touchdown.
Pappoe led Auburn with six tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup. Auburn held Texas A&M to 215 yards and limited Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman to 14-of-36 passing, a 39-percent clip, while allowing only 94 rushing yards on 24 carries, fewer than 4 yards per carry.