Sunday NFL Combine: WVU's Tavon Austin best showing, One of Four to Break All-Time Fastest List

Sunday NFL Combine: WVU's Tavon Austin best showing, One of Four to Break All-Time Fastest List

Texas wide receiver Marquise Goodwin ran one of the 25 fastest forty yard dashes in draft history with a 4.27, but it was West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin who came in only slightly behind him at 4.34 and had arguably the best showing of anyone at the Combine. He showed great hands and explosiveness in drills, and, alongside Onterio McCalebb (Auburn) and Ryan Swope (TAMU), finished with the second fastest forty time with a 4.34 (see table below for fastest 40s including Bo Jackson’s all-time best 4.12 in 1986).

Tennessee wide receivers Cordarelle Patterson and Justin Hunter boasted blazing times of 4.42 and 4.44 respectively.

Last year Robert Griffin III became only the second quarterback to break the top 40, (Michael Vick ran the the 13th fastest time in 2000. Among this year’s quarterbacks, Geno Smith (West Virginia) and E.J, Manuel produced strong forty times in the age of mobile quarterbacks. Smith ran a 4.59, and Manuel posted a 4.65. Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson ran in the 4.55 range last year.

Beyond McCalebb, Arkansas’ Knile Davis was the only running back to run a sub-4.4, running a strong 4.37 after a disappointing senior season. Top running back Eddie Lacy (Alabama) elected not to participate.

However, news that defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (Utah), considered one of the draft’s elite prospects, has a heart condition could have the most profound impact on the draft of everything that transpired on Sunday. It is unclear the extent of the condition or how significantly it could affect his draft stock.

It was also revealed that Manti Te’o, who lacks NFL level size and strength, will not be doing the bench press at the Combine. He has cited an injury which will prevent him from lifting, and he will be participating in all other drills.

Following up the headliner interviews from yesterday, LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu, previously known as the “Honey Badger,” asked for teams to trust him and said he would be open and honest in interviews. His drug issues are well known and caused him to be dismissed from the Tigers this year.

So far the agent for Joe Flacco and the Ravens have not yet reached a deal although it is still expected that Flacco will remain in Baltimore.

Rank Name Time College Team Position Year
1 Bo Jackson 4.12 Auburn Running back 1986
2 Michael Bennett 4.13 Wisconsin Running back 2000
3 Alexander Wright 4.14 Auburn Wide receiver 1989
4 Darrell Green 4.15 Texas A&M Cornerback 1982
5 Ahman Green 4.17 Nebraska Running back 1997
6 Joey Galloway 4.18 Ohio St. Wide receiver 1994
7 Deion Sanders 4.21 Florida St. Cornerback 1989
7 Kevin Curtis 4.21 Utah St. Wide receiver 2002
9 Donte Stallworth 4.22 Tennessee Wide receiver 2001
10 Willie Parker 4.23 UNC Running back 2003
11 Chris Johnson 4.24 East Carolina Running back 2006
11 Taylor Mays 4.24 USC Safety 2009
13 Ike Taylor 4.25 Louisiana-Lafayette Cornerback 2002
13 Michael Vick 4.25 Virginia Tech Quarterback 2000
13 Randy Moss 4.25 Marshall Wide receiver 1997
13 Sam Shields 4.25 Miami Cornerback 2010
17 Jeffrey Demps 4.26 Florida Running back 2007
18 Darren McFadden 4.27 Arkansas Running back 2007
18 Devin Hester 4.27 Miami Wide receiver 2005
18 Jacoby Ford 4.27 Clemson Wide receiver 2008
18 James Jett 4.27 West Virginia Wide receiver 1992
18 Stanford Routt 4.27 Houston Cornerback 2003
18 Trindon Holliday 4.27 LSU Wide receiver 2008
18 Marquise Goodwin 4.27 Texas Wide receiver 2013
25 Champ Bailey 4.28 Georgia Cornerback 1997
25 DeMarcus Van Dyke 4.28 Miami Cornerback 2009
25 Kevin Williams 4.28 Miami Wide receiver 1992
25 Raghib Ismail 4.28 Notre Dame Wide receiver 1990
25 Rod Woodson 4.28 Purdue Defensive Back 1986
30 Fabian Washington 4.29 Nebraska Cornerback 2003
30 Gaston Green 4.29 UCLA Running back 1987
30 Josh Robinson 4.29 Central Florida Cornerback 2010
30 Laveranues Coles 4.29 Florida St. Wide receiver 1999
34 Darrent Williams 4.3 Oklahoma St. Cornerback 2003
34 Darrius Heyward-Bey 4.3 Maryland Wide receiver 2007
34 Tye Hill 4.3 Clemson Cornerback 2004
34 Yamon Figurs 4.3 Kansas St. Wide receiver 2005
38 Robert Griffin III 4.34 Baylor Quarterback 2011
38 Tavon Austin 4.34 West Virginia Wide receiver 2013
38 Onterio McCalebb 4.34 Auburn Running back 2013
38 Ryan Swope 4.34 Texas A&M Wide receiver 2013

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