The defensive backs matched up well in terms of 40 times at this year’s NFL combine in contrast to year’s past where it looked like the wide receivers were just the better athletes.
Miami’s DeMarcus Van Dyke (pictured right) put himself on this illustrious list: http://www.gridironstuds.com/blog/the-fastest-40-yard-dash-ever/ when he clocked an amazing 4.28. It was the fastest 40 yard dash time in the combine this year and one of the fastest times ever in Indianapolis. Van Dyke’s run will send teams scurrying back to the video tape to take another look at his career at Miami. Van Dyke is helped by the success of former Miami teammate Sam Shields playing for the World Champion Green Bay Packers.
What’s frightening is the speed of some of the bigger players that are being produced these days. Patrick Peterson weighing 220 as a 6’0″ cornerback is not normal. More abnormal is him putting down a 4.34 while weighing 220 lbs. Ohio St.’s Chimdi Chekwa proved faster than people thought with a 4.40 as did Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara with a 4.43 time.
| Top DB 40 times 2011 Combine | ||||
| Player | School | Position | Time | |
| 1 | DeMarcus Van Dyke | Miami | CB | 4.28 |
| 2 | Patrick Peterson | LSU | CB | 4.34 |
| 3 | Chimdi Chekwa | Oh.St. | DB | 4.40 |
| 4 | Chris Culliver | S.Car | DB | 4.40 |
| 5 | Prince Amukamara | NEB | CB | 4.43 |
| 6 | Joe Lefeged | RUT | DB | 4.43 |
| 7 | Ras-l Dowling | VIR | DB | 4.46 |
| Curtis Marsh | UT St. | DB | 4.46 | |
| Byron Maxwell | CLE | DB | 4.46 | |
| Jimmy Smith | COL | CB | 4.46 | |
| Shareece Wright | USC | DB | 4.46 | |
Chad Wilson is a college football recruiting expert and creator of the GridironStudsApp which allows high school football players to gain exposure to college football coaches and fans. Wilson is a former college football player for the University of Miami (92-94) and Long Beach St. (’90-’91) and played briefly for the Seattle Seahawks (’95). He is also a former youth and high school football coach for over 15 years most recently for 5-A State of Florida Champs American Heritage. He runs All Eyes DB Camp a defensive back training company located in South Florida IG: @alleyesdbcamp. Wilson’s oldest son Quincy plays in the NFL for the New York Giants and his younger son plays cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals.
