INDIANAPOLIS — Something can be taken from every workout and drill at the NFL Scouting Combine. To those who watched the first group of quarterbacks and wide receivers Sunday morning, Clemson’s Jacoby Ford is the player who caught the most attention.

Ford’s 4.28-second 40-yard dash was the second-fastest in combine history (since 2000) and tied former Texan Jerome Mathis (2005) for the fastest ever run by a receiver. Current Titans RB Chris Johnson holds the overall record at 4.24 seconds, set in 2008.

Ford also has impressed in drills. NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks noted that by running solid routes after his impressive times, Ford was the star of the combine this morning, drawing the comparison to Eagles WR DeSean Jackson. NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche observed that Ford was very smooth in his drills. Ford consistently caught the ball with his hands, away from his body. All positives for Ford.

Another positive for Ford is that, unofficially, he had a time of 1.45 seconds at the 10-yard split of his 40-yard dash. It’s an important detail for scouts, as no other receiver had a split below 1.5. That explosion out of the gate shows Ford’s track background.

– Frank Tadych

Posted in: Combine  | comments  |