Track fast at NFL combine

Arkansas tight end Chris Gragg runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

— Arkansas-based players blazed down the track Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Former Razorback Chris Gragg was timed at 4. 5seconds in the 40-yard dash, easily the best among the 19 tight ends at Lucas Oil Stadium, and had the best performance in two other events.

Gragg tweeted, “Today is Showtime,” shortly before turning in his 40 time, then later sent out a picture of the run. He said he was also hand-timed at 4.4.

Gragg posted a vertical jump of 37 1/2 inches, the best by 2 inches among the tight ends. The Warren High School product also had the best broad jump, 10-5, besting fellow tight ends Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame and Vance McDonald of Rice by 6 inches.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff lineman Terron Armstead ran a 4.71 in the 40 to lead the field of 48 offensive linemen.

Armstead, who checked in at 6-5 and 306 pounds, ran the fastest time by an offensive lineman at the combine since 2006.

The NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said Armstead has been gaining momentum since his strong performance at the East-West Shrine Game in January.

Former Arkansas guard Alvin Bailey, 6-3, 312 pounds,clocked a 4.95, tied for the fourth-fastest time among linemen behind Armstead, Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson (4.72) and Oregon’s Kyle Long (4.94).

Armstead also had the best vertical jump among the offensive linemen, his 34 1/2 inches beating Johnson by a half inch.

Arkansas’ Dylan Breeding, a punter who played quarterback in high school, ran a 4.74 to tie Florida State’s Dustin Hopkins for the fastest 40 among the 14 punters and kickers.

Knile Davis, the ex-Arkansas tailback, bench pressed 225 pounds 31 times, the second-best total at his position behind the 36 reps by Wake Forest fullback Tommy Bohanon.

Tailbacks, quarterbacks and receivers will run their 40s and participate in on-field drills today.

Sports, Pages 36 on 02/24/2013