Calijah Kancey has made a splash at the NFL Scouting Combine and is already being compared to superstar Aaron Donald. But can the 22-year-old really become that good?

Ever since the Scouting Combine, Calijah Kancey has been the talk of the town. In just 4.67 seconds, the 22-year-old has turned into arguably one of the most intriguing prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Since 2003, no defensive tackle has managed a faster 40-yard dash time. Kancey even broke the mark (4.78) set by superstar Aaron Donald in 2014.

This is another reason why he is already seen as a “clone” of the nine-time Pro Bowler. It starts with the fact that they both come from the same alma mater. But the comparisons go much further.

Reading through draft profiles of Kancey, one might get the idea that they are looking at old assessments of Donald. The similarities between the two are almost uncanny.

Kancey and Donald: Like from an egg?

Donald was also considered “too small” for his position before his draft. Quite a few experts suspected at the time that this circumstance could prevent a long and successful career in the NFL.

Just like Donald, Kancey has great speed, a bulging pass rush repertoire and an explosiveness that should enable him to beat opponents one-on-one in the NFL.

Despite his strengths and similarities to Donald, some teams are said to be critical of the 22-year-old. His size, in particular, could be a “red flag” for franchises. At only six feet, Kancey is more than “undersized” for his position. Especially in defence against the run, this could become a problem for him. This is another reason why the defensive lineman is not considered a “safe” first-round pick.

While it is quite possible that he will find a new home on the first day of the draft. However, it’s possible that Kancey slides from the first to the second or third round should interested teams opt for other players.

Is the comparison to Aaron Donald unrealistic?

Some pundits don’t see Kancey as the next Aaron Donald, but rather a better Ed Oliver. The 25-year-old was selected ninth overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2019 and is also supposedly “too small” at 6-foot-5. While Oliver is putting up solid numbers so far, he is far from a superstar.

Kancey, draft experts are sure, has an exceptional skillset. However, the comparison or the hope that he is the “next Aaron Donald” seems rather unrealistic in the end.