C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, and sure Anthony Richardson placed on a present Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium

Thursday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium was what many described a sterilized surroundings. While linebackers and defensive linemen have been working their approach by the drills and testing, the smattering of followers and assembled media barely made any noise over the hours of exercises.

Saturday was a a lot completely different story.

The mixture of star energy in quarterbacks C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis throwing, mixed with it being a weekend afternoon, made for a a lot completely different surroundings. The decrease ring of the southeastern nook of Lucas Oil Stadium was stuffed with followers, and the anticipation was within the air for what we might see from Stroud, Richardson, Levis, and the remainder of these understanding:

Eventually, these followers would have motive to cheer.

The first spotlight of the session got here nearly two hours into the afternoon. The first group of quarterback and extensive receivers have been engaged on routes versus air, and after a variety of slants and pace outs, it was time for some deeper routes down the sector. When the receivers turned to dig routes, you bought a greater sense of velocity, timing, and placement.

That is when Levis made a number of throws that you might hear hit their goal, even over the din of the group.

As that was occurring, the second spotlight was happening. Richardson was partaking within the vertical leap.

And making some Combine historical past:

Another spotlight reel second got here from Richardson throughout his broad soar, which offered but extra Combine historical past:

A second report for quarterbacks on the Combine.

Frankly, we should always have anticipated it:

When it was time for the deep balls on the finish of the primary session, that definitely received the group energized. When Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett uncorked his three go routes, the group ultimately zone to full voice.

But the star of that section was once more Levis, whose third deep ball carried from the ten-yard line to the alternative 30, carrying over 60 yards within the air, and Levis made the throw with ease.

Then it was time for the second group of quarterbacks to run and throw. Which meant it was time for Richardson so as to add his 40-yard sprint to a rising — and spectacular — Combine resume.

And he did, placing down an unofficial 4.44, which might stand because the third-fastest QB time in historical past. That efficiency introduced the group, largely Colts followers, to their ft.

It is likely to be clear who Indianapolis followers need Chris Ballard to draft this spring.

It may additionally be clear who they need Richardson throwing to, and that’s Purdue extensive receiver Charlie Jones. The former Boilermaker posted two 4.44 40-yard dashes of his personal, and every run introduced the group to their ft:

Then it was time for routes versus air, and the Richardson present continued, with Stroud becoming a member of him because the costar. Both quarterbacks have been assured and clean, and whereas Stroud was the extra polished and rhythmic of the 2, the rate edge went to Richardson. That confirmed up particularly on the dig routes, when Richardson’s throws got here on extra of a line, and you might hear them hit their goal.

When it was time for the vertical routes, Richardson once more placed on a present, matching what Levis did within the first session. The Florida QB dropped three-straight throws of 60+ yards within the air with ease, with all three settling safely within the arms of the receiver.

Stroud’s first throw got here up barely brief, however the crowd ultimately zone — which had been behind him all through the session — picked up their voice, and his subsequent two throws have been made with a lot better placement.

Still, even the Big Ten crowd couldn’t sway the fan vote inside Lucas Oil Stadium:

(I would want a brand new cellphone, however that’s a dialogue for one more time).

It was that sort of afternoon. Expectations have been excessive for Richardson, and he not solely met them, he surpassed them. He was explosive all through testing, and threw the ball not simply with velocity, however with simple velocity. There was no wasted motion in his movement, and it was easy for him.

Still, Stroud had a stable day as nicely, and put collectively a throwing session that caught the attention of NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah excessive above Lucas Oil Stadium:

The incontrovertible fact that Stroud had this sort of throwing session shouldn’t be a shock. As he described himself earlier this week, accuracy and ball placement is his energy. Stroud referred to as himself a ball-placement specialist, and Saturday was the right venue for that means:

Now the large query relating to Richardson.

Where does he go within the draft? Does this week, and Saturday’s efficiency, transfer him not simply up the board, however to the highest?

Someone simply may.