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2017 NFL Scouting Combine: Whose Rising, Falling and Other Early Observations, Pt. 2

By Eric Gamboa

Mar 3, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington wide receiver John Ross speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington wide receiver John Ross speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Rising: Curtis Samuel

One name who is strangely not mentioned more by the mainstream draft media is former Ohio State’s Curtis Samuel. Like former Washington Huskie John Ross, Samuel can flat out fly.

No, Samuel is not as fast Ross, who set the combine record with a blazing 4.22 40-yard dash.

Regardless, Samuel’s 4.31 40-yard dash is fast — very, very fast. How fast you ask?

Well, per CheatSheet.com, only nine other players since Ross set the new record have recorded faster times than Samuel. It should be noted that Samuel is also tied with four other players. Nevertheless, a 4.31 is the seventh fastest 40-yard dash ever recorded at the combine.

Even more impressive is that Samuel is a true hybrid player who plays as a running back and as a slot wide receiver. As a dual-role player, Samuel recorded 822 receiving yards and 704 rushing yards. Put on the tape and you see a player with explosiveness, great lateral agility, and great hands.

Check out his highlight reel below:

Needless to say Samuel made himself some money. Here are some Twitter reactions to his combine performance so far:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/838089407521419264

College statistics provided courtesy of Ohio State University.