The defensive backs ran their 40-yard dashes today at the Scouting Combine, and three players have been particularly impressive on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium: LSU’s Ron Brooks, Louisiana-Lafayette’s Dwight Bentley and Virginia Tech’s Jayron Hosley.
Brooks led the way with an unofficial time of 4.35 seconds. Bentley followed at 4.37 seconds, and Hosley came in at 4.38 seconds. Of the defensive backs who have run so far, those were the only three to clock a time under 4.4 seconds.
Although he was largely overshadowed in an LSU secondary that included top prospect Morris Claiborne and Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu (who is only two years out of high school and not eligible for the draft), Brooks has certainly helped his draft stock today. Brooks played in all 52 of LSU’s games over the last four years, was one of LSU’s top coverage players on special teams and returned all three of his career interceptions for touchdowns.
Bentley was a four-year starter at Louisiana-Lafayette but is undersized and struggles in man coverage. He may be a good enough athlete, however, to make some team think he has what it takes to be a solid special teams contributor.
Hosley entered the draft as a junior and was described as a player who could be a late riser. Today’s 40 time could be just the thing to make that happen.