The linebackers have run their 40-yard dashes at the NFL Scouting Combine, and Martez Wilson of Illinois is the fastest of the bunch, running in a blazing 4.49 seconds.
I’m an Illinois graduate and I watched almost every game of Wilson’s college career, and I’ll just say this: Wilson’s production on the field doesn’t come close to matching his athletic gifts. Signing Wilson was viewed as a major recruiting coup for Illinois head coach Ron Zook, but Wilson didn’t produce like the All-American defender Illinois thought it was getting. Maybe some NFL coaching staff can get the most out of Wilson’s talents, but Zook and his staff never got out of him what they wanted.
After Wilson, the next-fastest linebacker was Texas A&M’s Von Miller, who solidified his status as a Top 10 overall pick by running a 4.53-second 40. Unlike Wilson, Miller is a blazing fast linebacker who plays as fast in a helmet and shoulder pads as he runs in shorts and a T-shirt.
Rounding out the Top 5 linebackers were Ohio State’s Brian Rolle at 4.56, Maryland’s Adrian Moten at 4.62 and Syracuse’s Doug Hogue at 4.63.