Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde said this weekend that he expected to run the 40-yard dash in the 4.4 second range when he got his chance to show his speed on Sunday.
Hyde’s official time wasn’t quite that fast. He clocked a 4.66 after pulling up with an apparent left hamstring injury during his first attempt of the day. Hyde received medical attention on the side and will have another chance to run the 40 at Ohio State’s Pro Day.
When he does, he’ll continue his quest to become the top running back taken in the draft. That may not be in the first round as it looks like a good chance that no running backs will come off the board in that round for the second straight season, but Hyde believes he’s the best in the class and that he’ll have no trouble transitioning to the professional game.
“When I think about my game, I think about guys like Frank Gore, Marshawn Lynch,” Hyde said, via the Falcons’ website. “Those type of guys. I like to watch those guys play. You see them running the ball out of the shotgun, spread plays, kind of what I did at Ohio State. I watch them to see how they run, how much success they had in those run plays and that’s kind of similar to what I did at Ohio State.”
Tre Mason of Auburn and Ka’Deem Carey of Arizona are expected to challenge Hyde for the chance to be the first back selected this year.