Jamel Dean is officially the fastest player thus far at this year's NFL Combine.
Dean ran a 4.30 official 40-yard dash Monday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis after his unofficial time of 4.31 was corrected. That mark beat out Ohio State receiver Paris Campbell and UMass receiver Andy Isabella, both of whom ran 4.31 officials.
It's the fastest 40-yard dash in Indianapolis since Washington's John Ross' current record of 4.22 two seasons ago.
Dean said earlier in the week he grew up watching players run the 40-yard dash at the Combine, and he saw himself doing well because he was a fast kid.
“Yeah, I grew up watching the Combine because I was always a fast guy,” Dean told AL.com. "... It’s a wild experience for me. This is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid. Now I’m actually living it.”
A native of Cocoa, Florida, Dean's college career began at Ohio State. He was medically ineligible there, so he received a waiver and transferred to Auburn. Despite further injuries, he was among Kevin Steele's starters on defense from 2017-18.
Dean finished his Auburn career with 75 total tackles and two interceptions. He's lauded by NFL scouts for his length and — obviously — his speed.
The defensive back also had a successful day in Indianapolis on Sunday. He checked in at 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds and completed 16 reps of the bench press. Keep up with all of Auburn's NFL Combine participants and their results here.
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Nathan King, senior in journalism with a minor in business, is The Plainsman's sports editor.
