Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave ran his 40-yard-dash at the NFL Draft Combine on Thursday. It was one of the best in the event’s history.
If you got up to go to the bathroom to get a drink, you definitely missed it. Heck, if you turned your head away or even blinked, you probably missed this one. Olave ran the 40 in a blistering 4.26 seconds.
Chris Olave. He's very fast. pic.twitter.com/h3wbyiubaz
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 4, 2022
Per DraftKings, Only three people — John Ross III (4.22 seconds), Rondel Menendez, and Chris Johnson (both 4.24) — have had faster 40s at the combine, though Jerome Mathis and Dri Archer were both clocked at 4.26, as well.
That fast time had people buzzing.
Watching Chris Olave's 4.26u.@chrisolave_ #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/aWaIvswOCI
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2022
Included in that were some fellow Buckeyes.
BRO WHAT?!🔥👀 @chrisolave_
— Terry McLaurin (@TheTerry_25) March 4, 2022
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED????#BUCKEYES
— Brian Hartline (@brianhartline) March 4, 2022
But old former Ohio State receivers weren’t the only ones that took notice.
WOW!!!! ⭐️ https://t.co/rd7ykK37QC
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 4, 2022
Chris Olave go zoom 🔥👀pic.twitter.com/4NEO8lM1kc
— Kyle Nap (@KyleNaps) March 4, 2022
Chris Olave is fast
That’s the tweet!
pic.twitter.com/YSbmHW5Sk6— TWSN (@TWSN___) March 4, 2022
Olave chose VIOLENCE!!
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) March 4, 2022
Chris Olave at the combine pic.twitter.com/yQKXIQ0FGx
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) March 4, 2022
Of course, there’s something else to consider. Olave isn’t just blazing the 40 in 4.26 seconds for fun. He is in Indianapolis to impress scouts and ultimately, bolster his draft status.
In the eyes of several viewers, he did that.
Chris Olave runs an unofficial 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. That’ll boost his draft stock.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 4, 2022
Chris Olave lasting to pick 23 was fun while it lasted. pic.twitter.com/5bH800k1VU
— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) March 4, 2022
Well, begging the #Patriots to draft Chris Olave at 21 was fun while it lasted.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 4, 2022
Chris Olave just ran a 4.26 40.
So, I guess he's *not* falling to the Bears in Round 2.
— Adam Rank (@adamrank) March 4, 2022
CHRIS OLAVE JUST RAN A 4.26?!?!?
Okay yeah, sorry guys but he's not falling to the #Bears
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 4, 2022
I’ve been a little hesitant to say this … but the guy Olave has reminded me of all along is Terry Glenn. And he’ll blow teams away in his meetings, and his OSU coaches LOVE him.
Maybe he lasts into the 20s. But he shouldn’t. 📈📈📈 https://t.co/CrvrnKhE5m
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 4, 2022
Ultimately, time will tell if the decision-makers with NFL teams agree. But if the last few NFL seasons have taught us anything, it’s how important the big play is. While speed isn’t the lone prerequisite for making big plays, it’s the most important one.
With that in mind, it’s fair to say that Olave did quite well for himself on Thursday night.
