Former FSU defensive tackle Braden Fiske is entering the 2024 NFL draft with great momentum.
The 6-foot-5, 297-pound lineman, who spent five seasons at Western Michigan before entering the transfer portal in 2023, stood out in the NFL combine in Indianapolis earlier this month, going viral on social media with his 4.78 40-yard dash.
Florida State's Braden Fiske, #DL07, runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
“At least I knew I was running faster than I had ever run before,” Fiske told Fox News Digital in an interview Thursday.
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“After I hit my first 10 yards I thought, 'Okay, we're really good. We can have a good time here.'”
The NFL shared an overlay of Fiske's career compared to Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who ran 4.80 in 2017.
“It was a great opportunity to be on the same screen as him, and I hope to be chasing him around here in two and a half months, whatever that may be.”
For his position, Fiske earned the highest scores in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, board jump and 20-yard shuttle, and finished in the top five in the 10-yard split and bench press. Early projections had Fiske as early second round pick, but analysts like NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah suggest he “could end up finding his way late in the first round.”
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Fiske told Fox News Digital that interest around him has certainly increased since his strong performance at the combine.
Florida State's Braden Fiske, #DL07, participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
“Oh, 100%, yeah. And it really started to build up after the Senior Bowl. And then I was able to take that to the combine, and after the combine it just blew up. I have meetings scheduled – it seems to be every day of the week, whether with teams, interviews, whatever. But it's been amazing.”
“Did I expect it to be this hectic? Maybe not, but now that it's here, I'm so grateful for the opportunity,” he continued.
Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske, #94 of the National Team, is being defended by LSU offensive lineman Charles Turner III, #69 of the All-American Team, during the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on February 3, 2024 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 16 to 7. (Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Since declaring for the draft, Fiske has caught the attention of many, including the Las Vegas Raiders defensive end. Max Crosbywho last month reacted to a video of Fiske on social media by calling him “Dawg.”
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Fiske says several people have asked him for advice, but his biggest support has been New York Jets linebacker Zaire Barnes, who was his roommate at Western Michigan.
“He's the one who's really been able to prepare me the most, more than anyone else. He just tells me to be me, to do things the way I do them. And I run my business pretty well. And he just says, 'do yourself.' . highlight.' And fortunately, so far I have been able to do it.”
Braden Fiske, No. 55 of the Western Michigan Broncos, sacks Nate Cox, No. 16 of the Nevada Wolf Pack, during the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field on December 27, 2021 in Detroit. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
“It's definitely been a big impact for me,” he added.
Fiske, who is from Michigan City, Indiana, started all 13 games at Florida State, where he recorded 43 tackles, including 9.0 for loss with 6.0 sacks and five quarterback hurries. At Western Michigan, he recorded 148 tackles, including 27.5 for loss with 13.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 30 starts.
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