UPDATE (1:48 p.m. ET): It’s official: John Ross’ 40-yard dash at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine was clocked at 4.22 seconds, breaking Chris Johnson’s combine record of 4.24 seconds.
BREAKING: John Ross (WR from @UW_Football) officially breaks the 40-yard dash record with a time of 4.22 at the #NFLCombine. pic.twitter.com/fMCzoaZkhq
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 4, 2017
ORIGINAL STORY: Move over, Chris Johnson. There might be a new 40-yard dash king.
Washington wide receiver John Ross set the Lucas Oil Stadium turf ablaze Saturday with an unofficial 40 time of 4.22 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. That’s 0.2 seconds faster than Johnson’s record time, which the running back set at the 2008 combine.
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
JOHN ROSS!!!! 🔥@UW_Football WR @WatchJRoss runs 4.22u 40-yard dash.(cc: @chrisjohnson28) https://t.co/kkeUVDIMeQ
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2017
Ross’ run prompted an eruption of social media reaction from around the NFL, including from Johnson himself.
👀👀👀
— Chris Johnson (@ChrisJohnson28) March 4, 2017
He picking em up n putting em down boi
— Chris Johnson (@ChrisJohnson28) March 4, 2017
😧😧😲😲@WatchJRoss
— Tavon Austin (@Tayaustin01) March 4, 2017
4.22!? My goodness
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) March 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/P2/status/838082322217877504
https://twitter.com/JKearse_15/status/838080230069694464
He look fast even in slow motion.. 👀
— Jarvis Juice Landry (@God_Son80) March 4, 2017
What made Ross’ mad dash all the more impressive was that he cramped up during it. Those cramps prevented him from running the 40 a second time, Kimberly Jones of NFL Media reported during NFL Network’s combine broadcast.
A stellar 40-yard dash isn’t necessarily an indication of future NFL success, but Ross is one of the most highly regarded receivers in the 2017 draft class. He’s considered a probable first-round pick and many experts predict he’ll be the second or third wideout drafted behind Western Michigan’s Corey Davis and Clemson’s Mike Williams.
Thumbnail photo via Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports Images
