Even though South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney’s blazing time stole the spotlight during the early part of today’s on-field drills at the Scouting Combine, there are other big fast guys.
Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack, who some think ought to be the first player taken, just posted an unofficial 4.66-second time in his first 40-yard dash. His second attempt was an unofficial 4.62.
Compared to the 266-pound Clowney, whose unofficial 4.48 became an official 4.53 time, the 251-pound Mack is merely fast and not nuclear.
That’s not to say he’s not an impressive prospect, as he has all the tools to become a very good outside linebacker in a 3-4. But he’s not showing himself to be nearly as explosive as the man he’s competing against for the honor of being the first non-quarterback chosen, or perhaps first overall.