Mark Ingram of Alabama is widely considered the top running back prospect in the 2011 draft class, and didn’t hurt himself in the forty-yard dash segment of Sunday’s Scouting Combine workouts.
The 5-foot-9, 215-pound former Heisman Trophy winner was unofficially timed at 4.58. Ingram is not considered a burner, but anything sub-4.6 would qualify as a successful time for him.
SI.com’s Don Banks has predicted Ingram won’t get past the Dolphins at No. 15 overall.
In Sunday’s drills, Ingram was immediately followed by Illinois’ Mikel Leshoure. Leshoure, who goes 6-foot and 227 pounds, ran a 4.56 to best Ingram. Leshoure is commonly called the second best running back in this year’s class.
More impressive than both was Roy Helu of Nebraska. Helu hasn’t generated a ton of pre-draft buzz, but ran 4.43, unofficially. He averaged 6.62 yards per carry for the Cornhuskers last season.
Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams registered an unofficial 4.55 time.
UPDATE: Mark Ingram’s official forty time was 4.62.