The big question about Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon’s ability to thrive at the professional level is his speed.
Blackmon, projected to be the first receiver off the board, said Friday that he is planning to eliminate that concern.
“I know I’m not slow,” Blackmon said, via Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel. “I’m hoping to shock a few people.”
He just won’t be shocking anyone at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this weekend. Although Blackmon said previously that he would do everything in Indy, he changed course on Friday and announced he won’t run a 40-yard dash. Blackmon cited a hamstring injury for his decision, but there’s another good reason for his decision to wait a bit longer to display his speed.
He’ll run his 40 at the Oklahoma State Pro Day on March 7th instead, a move that should pay off for him thanks to the differences in the two tracks. Indy’s track is slower than the one in Stillwater -- 49ers running back Kendall Hunter posted a much better time at the college’s track last year -- and that should pay off for Blackmon in a better result.