Ohio State’s Parris Campbell posts historically impressive 40-time; besting recent NFL greats

Everyone knew coming into the NFL Combine that Parris Campbell was fast, but what might surprise some is just how historically fast he is. Not only did the former Ohio State H-back put up the best 40-yard dash time amongst the first wide receiver group of the day (4.31 seconds), but he also out-ran some of the best receivers in the NFL today.

Thanks to the NFL Network’s Simulcam, we got a chance to see how Campbell compared to NFL greats Julio Jones, Odell Beckham Jr., and Antonio Brown. The Buckeye’s 4.31 bested all three, as Julio turned in a 4.42, OBJ had a 4.43, and AB clocked in at 4.57 seconds.

In the abstract, 1/100s of a second isn’t that much time, but when you can see the four 40-yard dashes overlapped, you start to see just how much distance Campbell was able to create between himself and the NFL greats.

Coming into the combine, Cambell was expected to be a late-first round or early-second round selection. However, following his blazing 40-time, he might just be working his way up the draft board of some NFL teams.

However, it wasn’t just pro scouts taking note of Campbell’s speed, apparently the entire country was as well, as the former Buckeye’s name ended up trending on Twitter following his run.

Campbell’s feat also drew the attention of the NFL Network’s resident Michigan Man Rich Eisen who noted that Campbell’s blazing official 40-time matched that of former Ohio State H-back and current Carolina Panther Curtis Samuel.

For some more context, cleveland.com’s Doug Lesmerises noted that over the past decade, only one receiver that weighed over 200 pounds ran a faster 40-yard dash time than Campbell. Former Maryland Terrapin Darrius Heyward-Bey ran a 4.3 flat before being drafted by the Oakland Raiders.