Jalen Myrick could always fly. That was apparent, even before the former Gophers cornerback ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds Monday, the fastest time ever recorded by a Big Ten player at the NFL combine.
Myrick's coaches and teammates with the Gophers knew how fast he was. As a junior at Savannah (Ga.) Christian Prep, he ran one of the 10 fastest 100-meter times in the country. And he electrified TCF Bank Stadium as a sophomore for the Gophers, when he returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to beat Northwestern.
But Monday's performance had folks around the country buzzing:
Myrick's 40 time wasn't quite as quick as former Washington wide receiver John Ross, who set a new combine record Saturday with a 4.22. But Myrick proved his first time wasn't a fluke when he ran a 4.32 on his second attempt. Myrick's 4.28 and 4.32 were the two fastest times by a defensive back.
ESPN's Mel Kiper said in December that Myrick and former Gophers safety Damarius Travis were probably Day 3 draft prospects, meaning they would likely get picked between rounds 4-7. Kiper added, "It depends on how they test obviously; the Combine's going to be important, their pro day is important."
It was for Myrick. Now football fans all across the country know he can fly.
Profar homers twice to lift San Diego to its 6th straight win, 6-4 over Baltimore
Former British Open champion Stewart Cink in the hunt at 3M Open
![Packers QB Jordan Love throws during a practice session June 4 in Green Bay, Wis.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/TCVNQ37HU5HZNPKGPR5OCL7KMQ.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)