THROWBACK: Lamar Jackson Reveals What Time he Could Have Set in a 40-Yard Dash

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has a unique dimension to his game. He is an able rusher with over 12 NFL rushing touchdowns to his name. He made a name for his rushing in college itself with 50 touchdowns in 3 full seasons. However, despite interest in him switching positions as a pro Jackson famously stated that he wouldn’t participate in the dash drills at the NFL combine. 

Lamar Jackson reveals what time he had in mind for a 40-yard dash

In a chat with Bucky, Money, and Lance at the 2018 NFL combine, the Louisville Cardinals prospect opened up on being considered as a wide receiver. 

“You know a lot of quarterbacks is able to have my ability, make people miss. You never label them as a wide receiver. So I felt I should have a chance at quarterback.”

Jackson revealed he was planning to run the 40, but backed out after he heard the wide receiver considerations. Later he spilled the beans on what time he would have posted in a 40-yard dash.  

“Uh I probably would’ve matched it (4.38). I think I would’ve run a 4.3.”

The figure will always remain a mystery as Jackson wanted to be considered purely as a quarterback. He got his wish at the draft as Baltimore Ravens made him their second draft pick of the evening.

The then 21-year-old was expected to be the backup to Joe Flacco. However, he made his bow in the second half of game 1 due to the starter injuring his hip. In the game Jackson rushed 39 yards. In his first start he shattered the team record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 117. 

A year later his stock soared. In an MVP winning season, he rushed for a whopping 1,206 yards and registered 7 touchdowns. The yards rushed in 15 regular season starts in 2019 is greater than Tom Brady’s entire career yards rushed (1,137). Because of his efforts, he shattered Michael Vick’s record (1.039) for most yards rushed as a quarterback in a season.

Do you see Lamar Jackson breaching the 4.3 mark if he ever times himself in a 40-yard dash? Do you feel he should have switched to wide receiver or was he right in backing himself at quarterback?

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