Anthony Richardson Dazzles with 40-Yard Dash Time at NFL Combine
Anthony Richardson #AnthonyRichardson
Former Florida Gator quarterback turns in unofficial 4.44 40-yard dash.
When it became clear Anthony Richardson would compete at the 2023 NFL scouting combine, all attention shifted (again) towards the former Florida Gator quarterback.
The Gainesville native, projected as high as the top overall draft pick ahead of the testing and interview circuit in Indianapolis, has long commanded attention based on his measurables and athletic profile.
On Saturday, it was time to make good on borderline unreal expectations with all the bright lights on — and Richardson did and then some.
The unofficial 40-yard dash time, per NFL Network, came in at 4.44 seconds.
Richardson’s run, should it later become official, would stand as one of the most explosive marks in NFL combine history. The numbers say the speed measure was the fourth-fastest all-time amongst quarterbacks in the history of the combine.
It came on the heels of record-breaking displays in the other athletic testing events. He recorded a 40.5-inch vertical and a 10’9” broad jump, besting the previous records set at the position.
Of course, Richardson is also working with a larger frame than most of the elite speed performers at quarterback relative to NFL combine history. Earlier in the day, he measured in at 6-foot-4, 244 pounds.
Expect the hype around Richardson as an ascending prospect, especially relative to quarterbacks like Bryce Young electing not to work out in Indianapolis, to increase in short order — especially with the recent history of NFL organizations taking chances on prospects with a higher athletic profile even without gaudy numbers on Saturdays.
Richardson’s lone season as Florida’s starting quarterback was polarizing ala Kentucky’s Will Levis’. He saw spot duty in 2021, too, culminating in 24 appearances and 13 starts, accumulating 3,105 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions with a completion percentage of 54.7. He added 1,116 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground at 6.9 yards per rush.
The 2023 NFL Draft will take place in Kansas City, Mo. from April 27-29.
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