Jacoby Ford ran unofficial times of 4.28 and 4.27 on Sunday. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL.com)

INDIANAPOLIS — The first group of receivers to run Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine didn’t disappoint. Two of the group’s smaller prospects — Kansas State’s Brandon Banks and Clemson’s Jacoby Ford — led the way.

Banks, who checks in at 5-foot-7 and 149 pounds, posted unofficial times of 4.37 and 4.41 seconds. Ford, who’s listed at 5-9 and 186 pounds, ran unofficial times of 4.28 and 4.27. We’ll have the official times later, but keep in mind that the combine record since 2000 is the 4.24 that current Titans RB Chris Johnson put up in 2006.

NFL Network’s Paul Burmeister offered the line of the day so far after watching Ford run: “That’s speeding on the Clemson campus.”

It’s notable that of the 21 first-group receivers — five of whom didn’t run — five prospects stand less than 6 feet. Of the bigger receivers, Connecticut’s Marcus Easley (6-3, 210) ran unofficial times of 4.43 and 4.39, Baylor’s David Gettis (6-3, 217) posted 4.47 and 4.49 and Youngstown State’s Donald Jones (6-0, 214) ran 4.47 and 4.50. Those big receivers can really move.

– Frank Tadych

Posted in: Combine  | comments  |