Jeremy Langford tops running back 40 times at NFL Combine

Jeremy Langford was the fastest running back in the 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine for running backs on Saturday. 

The top running backs in the NFL Draft are projected to be Melvin Gordon, Todd Gurley, Ameer Abdullah and Duke Johnson but none of them finished in the top three of the 40-yard dash times for running backs. It was Michigan State’s Jeremy Langford who led running backs with a 4.43 unofficial time in the 40-yard dash.

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None of the running backs came even close to New York Jets running back Chris Johnson for the NFL combine of a 4.24 time in the 40-yard dash.

Former Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon surprised people when he ran just a 4.61 time as well as former Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah who also ran the same time.

Former Miami running back Duke Johnson ran just a 4.55 as he was expected to do better. Former Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon ran a 4.52, the best out of the top running back prospects as he finished fourth overall for running backs.

To put it into perspective, this running back class who was thought to have some good speed, isn’t looking so hot anymore. Quarterback Marcus Mariota ran a 4.52, quarterback Nick Marshall ran a 4.54 and even quarterback Blake Sims beat out plenty of running backs by running a 4.58.

But hey, at least you top rated running backs beat out Jameis Winston’s time of 4.97. With the unexpected fastest 40-time, we might see Jeremy Langford’s stock rise. He’s projected as a mid-round pick, but he may surprise in the NFL like fellow Michigan State running back Le’Veon Bell has, rising to be one of the top backs in the league.