NFL Combine 2016 Recap: USC RB Tre Madden

Tre Madden headed to the 2016 NFL Combine fresh off knee surgery, but still participated in interviews, medicals and the bench press, where he shined.

Like fellow Trojan Max Tuerk, injuries kept Tre Madden on the sidelines for on-field testing at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Still, the USC running back was able to make his mark by showing off his upper body strength in the bench press.

Results

Measurements: 6’0″ | 223 lbs | 29 3/4″ arms | 9 3/8″ handsBench: 24 reps

Madden was listed by USC at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds. The height reduction is not a bad thing, since being tall is often considered a hindrance for running backs.

If you believe in hand size and arm length science, Madden both fails and passes the test. The threshold for hand size among NFL running backs is nine inches, which Madden exceeds.

However, when it comes to arm length the Trojan is below par. At just 29 3/4 inches, Madden falls well below the 31-inch threshold which serves as a predictor for pro success. According to Jim Cobern of NFL Spin Zone, Chris Johnson one of the only successful, regular starting running backs since 2001 with sub-31 inch arms.

Of course, scouts are looking at much more than hand size and arm length at the Combine. Unfortunately, knee surgery prior to the Holiday Bowl required Madden to sit out on-the-field testing so he was unable to put that hand size to the test catching passes.

The one physical test Madden was able to complete was the bench press and he put in a good showing there. His 24 reps were second-best among running backs, just one behind the leader.

Interviews:

Madden told NFL Draft Zone that he wants to run the 40-yard dash in the 4.40s at USC’s Pro Day.

Social Media Highlights

Conclusion

Madden would certainly be considered higher on many draft boards if he did not have such a troublesome injury record, but there’s no getting around that particular red flag.

More from Reign of Troy

• Markese Stepp enters transfer portal intending to leave USC football
• USC football’s Alijah Vera-Tucker declares for NFL Draft
• USC football adds Xavion Alford as transfer from Texas
• USC Podcast: RoT Radio Ep. 396 on the Football Season’s Fallout
• Talanoa Hufanga named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, USC football with five first-teamers

Being unable to participate in drills in Indianapolis is a set back but the Combine was not a waste for the running back, who will be able to show scouts what he can do at his Pro Day later in March. Showing well on the bench press is a plus.

Ryan O’Halloran of Jacksonville.com noted that the Jaguars could be in the market for a value running back on Day 3. Madden in particular was floated as a possibility to give Jacksonville a boost as a short-yardage support piece to T.J. Yeldon.

That kind of consideration is why even a player who does not go through workouts can use the Combine to his advantage as an opportunity to speak to teams looking for late-round options.