ASU linebacker Christian Sam leads position group in bench press

ASU linebacker Christian Sam out performed all other linebackers in the bench press at the NFL Combine by hoisting 28 reps.

Sam was able to squeeze out one more rep than projected first-rounder Malik Jefferson of Texas, and one of only four inside linebackers to put up more than 25 reps on the bench.

Top performers in bench press among #NFLCombine LBs:

1. Christian Sam, ASU, 28
T2. Tegray Scales, IND, 27
T2. Obo Okoronkwo, OU, 27
T2. Malik Jefferson, TEX, 27
T5. Genard Avery, MEM, 26
T5. Leon Jacobs, WIS, 26

— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFLDraft) March 3, 2018

His 40-yard dash time of 4.76 left Sam outside of the top-20 in his position group, but the poor time was not expected to effect his draft stock too much because it is valued less at his position of inside linebacker.

Last season for the Sun Devils, Sam had 127 total tackles including 9.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. The linebacker also had three career interceptions at ASU.

Sam was one of five Sun Devils players to perform at the combine. His teammate, defensive lineman JoJo Wicker posted 25 reps on the bench and ran a 5.16 40-yard dash.

ASU running back’s Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard and offensive lineman Sam Jones participated in drills on Friday, the opening day of the combine.

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