It comes as no surprise that the USC player who posted the fastest time in the 20-yard dash Monday was safety Taylor Mays. After all, legend has it that Mays has run a 4.25 40.
The identity of the second-fastest player, well, that’s where things get interesting.
He participated in the 1 p.m. session of the Chris Carlisle-supervised summer workouts, which began in the wee hours (a little too wee for me). The afternoon group was heavy on running backs and defensive backs.
So who clocked the 2.52 20, which was just a shade behind Mays’ 2.5-flat? Kevin Thomas? Joe McKnight? Receiver Travon Patterson, who also was part of the group?
Try Josh Pinkard.
Yes, safety Josh Pinkard. The same Josh Pinkard who weighs more than 200 pounds and missed most of two seasons because of major knee injuries.
Assuming Pinkard retains the starting spot he “won” in spring after academics sidelined Will Harris, it’s pretty safe to say USC will have the fastest pair of safeties in the nation.
In other safety-related news, Mays’ backup, Drew McAllister, still does not appear to be 100 percent after missing most of spring practice because of a pulled hamstring. He did not run at full speed during the afternoon workout.
More from the USC blog:
- Stephen Strasburg, Scott Boras, Pete Rose …
- USC football: Another runner in the rotation
- Matt Leinart is doing what with whom?
- USC football: Matt Barkley — from ‘outlier’ to redshirt?
- USC football: Deconstructing the Man of Steele
- USC football: Hawaii series extended through 2013
- USC football poll: Is night all right for Trojans-Bruins?
- USC football recruiting: Top-rated punter commits to Trojans
- USC basketball: Et tu, Marcus Johnson?
- USC football: Two more kickoff times announced
- USC football poll: Who is the most indispensable Trojan?
There is no denying the level of talent at USC and the continued success of Pete Carroll and his staff. There is no denying that Taylor Mays will be a top 15 pick for next year’s draft unless something unforeseeable happens. However, are we too concerned with “Clock” speed and when are sportswriters and tv personalities going to realize that we are not playing a madden game or ncaa football on the playstation.
There have been many players with excellent combine workout numbers but have not produced in the NFL. We should value smart, heady players that have the game speed needed to make the big plays when necessary. The 40 time is a glamorous stat for all of us to oogle at but does it really matter anymore because of the failed production of those with this highly touted 40 times??
sorry had to repost.
There is no denying the level of talent at USC and the continued success of Pete Carroll and his staff. Taylor Mays will be a top 15 pick for next year’s draft unless something unforeseeable happens. However, are we too concerned with “Clock” speed and when are sportswriters and tv personalities going to realize that we are not playing a madden game or ncaa football on the playstation.
There have been many players with excellent combine workout numbers but have not produced in the NFL. We should value smart, heady players that have the game speed needed to make the big plays when necessary. The 40 time is a glamorous stat for all of us to oogle at but does it really matter anymore because of the failed production of those with the highly touted 40 times??