Here are several examples of why 40-yard dash times tend to be just a bit overrated. Of the 15 all-time fastest times, we’ve selected a few gems that reflect why a prospects ability to run a blazing 4.2-4.3 doesn’t exactly translate to success in the NFL.
Holiday was selected in the 6th round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. He was placed on IR his rookie season with a fractured thumb. In 2011, Holliday was cut, then signed to the practice squad, cut from the practice squad, signed to the active roster and then cut again. For his career, Holliday has zero receptions and zero career returns.
Draft: 2nd round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2010 NFL Draft
Career Statistics:
Mays was drafted in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Mays was publicly upset when his college coach Pete Carroll, who had just been named the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, passed on him in favor of Texas safety Earl Thomas in the first round. Mays, a highly decorated safety at USC only produced 38 tackles for the Niners his rookie year. The following season he was traded to Cincinnati Bengals where he racked up a total of 10 tackles.
Tye Hill was selected 15th overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. Hill was impressive in his rookie season as he started 10 out of 16 games, putting together 50 tackles and 3 INT’s. Following his rookie season, Hill put together two disappointing seasons and was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2009. Hill was released after just one season, he has also played for the Tennessee Titans and the Detroit Lions. Tye Hill is currently a free agent and has not played in the NFL since 2010. For his career, Hill has 111 tackles and 5 INT’s.
Figurs was selected in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Of this group, Figurs has been able to produce the most. After the Ravens primary kick-returner B.J. Sams was lost for the season to injury, Figurs stepped in as the teams starting kick/punt returner. That season Figurs returned 46 kickoffs for 1,138 yards and one touchdown. Two seasons later Figurs was cut. Since then, he has bounced around the league spending time with the Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans. For his career, Figurs has returned 85 kicks for 1,956 and one touchdown.
Mathis was selected in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Mathis shined in his rookie season with the Texans returning 54 kicks for 1,542 yards, earning the starting role for the AFC in the Pro Bowl as the return specialist. The following two seasons, Mathis was plagued by injuries and was eventually arrested. He was released by the Texans and has bounced around to both the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts and the AFL with the Pittsburgh Power.
Chris Culliver was one of the most highly touted recruits in the history of the South Carolina football program. Culliver, a 5-Star recruit out of North Carolina began his career at the wide reciever position. He would eventually transition to safety his sophomore season and cornerback in his senior season. Culliver recently partcipated in the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine where he posted a blazing 4.3 40 time. Culliver’s rare speed will help propel him at the professional level where he will play in the defensive backfield while also serving as a dangerous kick return speicalist. We would like to thank Chris for taking the time to speak with The Meat Locker as we wish him well at the next level. We will also be speaking to Chris as he progresses in his NFL career to help keep his dedicated fans posted on his new journey.
Where are you currently training as your prepare for the NFL Draft?
I’m training at the WPI (Wellness Performance Institute) in Atlanta. My trainer is Eric Johnson, and I’m training with Alex Wujciak (MLB, Maryland), and Armando Allen (RB, Notre Dame.)
How did your experience go at the NFL Combine? And how can you sum it up?
To sum it up really, the whole thing went good. I appreciate the experience and going up to there to Indy and performing the way that I did. Just getting the opportunity to go up there and showcase my talents to the scouts was amazing. Talking to all the scouts and GM’s and I really appreciate the opportunity to talk to them. Getting all the Under Armour gear and Adidas wasn’t too bad either, ha ha that was pretty cool!
Were there any players that you bonded with during your time in Indy?
My roommate was Vance Cuff, the corner from Georgia. We were able to really hang out the whole time and just talk and stuff. A couple other guys were Ahmad Black (Florida) and Will Hill (Florida.) We were able to talk and stuff.
What teams did you interview with and can you elaborate more on the process?
Man, there were so many teams I cant remember all of them… but the reason that I remember this was because it was so intense, but it was meeting with the Cowboys. I met with the whole coaching staff. It was all so crazy because it was so intense, they were setting up plays and quizzing me on coverage’s and remembering coverage’s. But it was a great experience and I definitely remember that one!
Do you feel your performance help solidify a better draft position?
I thought I did pretty good overall around the board. The whole process of working out was pretty long, just having to wait on everybody run their drills. But I think it helped my draft status simply because, I was projected 2nd round and then I had that injury senior year and missed half the season. Pretty much I fell off the board while other guys were still playing and they got all the hype. I felt like I was just kind of swept under the rug. Scouts have been telling me I’m looking good and that I’m blowing up, it’s exactly what I was expecting out of the situation.
A lot of teams are still projecting me as a 2nd rounder. They know what I am capable of doing. Kind of like a Cromartie situation… he didn’t play his whole year and he fell off, then he came to the combine and performed well and went first round.
Your speed is definitely an intriguing aspect of your game, the fact that you can play both safety and corner just helps your status and the versatility that you possess.
Yeah I agree… I mean if Deion Sanders likes me, I think somebody out there will like me!
Back to your career at South Carolina, you were easily one of the most highly touted recruits coming in after Demetrus Summers. You were a 5-Star guy that was recruited highly as a receiver as well as DB. Did you have any say so as far as what direction you wanted to take when you first came?
I wanted to play WR… I mean who wouldn’t want to play WR under Coach Spurrier? Coach told me I could play receiver. If it didn’t work then I would be able to fall back to DB and transition if receiver didn’t work.
As far as your personal performance at USC, do you feel you reached or exceeded your goals during your time there?
I feel like I did. I performed well, I gave the university all of my four years. As far as my injuries, if I hadn’t been injured I probably would have done a lot more. But that’s just how it goes. I was definitely very happy in me making my decision in where I went.
As far as team oriented goals, do you feel you reached the point you wanted to reach?
I feel like we really performed well. Especially the young guys that we had come in that really stepped up, a lot of other guys really stepped up and filled in where there were injuries. Everybody put everything they had into it. That’s what we all train for all summer and what coach pushes us to do. We reached a point that we had never gotten to as a team (SEC Championship.)
In your 4 years under coach Spurrier, how can you sum up the experience playing under him? How do you take what you learned from him and carry it on to the next level?
Anything can be accomplished, just by working hard at it. I feel like if you work hard you can succeed.
The Gamecock recruiting class of 2007 and now the 2011 NFL Draft class was one of South Carolina’s most talented classes, you guys all came in together and now you’re leaving for the NFL. How do you guys feel collectively as a group?
It was cool because yah know we all came in to this experience together and now we get to leave together and go to the next level. We’ll all keep in touch and have those relationships; I wish the best for everyone.
Being a kick returner is one of your strengths. How do you feel about the new kickoff rule and the ball being moved up to the 35 yard line next season? How do you feel as a kick returner being put in the position to where you have a less of a chance being able to return a ball?
I really think the NFL is really starting to take the fun out the game, as far as preventing injuries, I understand that. But there is going to be a lot of fun taken out the game and this is one part that is going to be affected. Regardless there are going to be injuries on kickoffs. The guys defending are going to be running down the field trying to take the other guys head off, while the guy returning is going to try and run somebody over. I don’t like it, its pretty much going to be a boring a part of the game on kick off returns. Guys like Cribbs (Josh Cribbs, Cleveland Browns) and Hester (Devin Hester, Chicago Bears) are affected. They might as well put a net up at the back of the end zone so they can kick the ball into the back of the net and try and let us bring it out that way.
Do you have an idea from what scouts are telling you if you’re going to play corner or safety at the next level?
I think corner, simply for the reason a lot of people feel me more as a corner and having a big body at the corner position. Then again a lot of teams see me at safety as well. I don’t really have a preference. Corner if I had to chose though, I definitely like that. No matter what there is going to be room for improvement. With my work ethic and physical ability and studying, I feel like I could perfect the position… I definitely feel like I present a lot of dynamic, with return ability, playing corner and safety.
Was there a moment in a game that you felt like defined your career at Carolina and that you were confident enough in yourself to take your skills to the next level?
I would say playing against Kentucky, when I broke the record. I feel like that set me over the top and I feel like was definitely ready. I was healthy and that was the moment. I was like man, it wasn’t the even record that I wanted, but I was trying to help the team win. I tried to have the mindset to take the game into my own hands and do what I had to do to help the team win.
And… when we played against Alabama and we played their “Thunder & Lighting” (Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson.) They came in being the number one team in the country and us being able to stop them. I felt like that was another moment.
Where will you be on draft day?
Ill either be in South Carolina or Philadelphia with my family. I definitely want to have my family around me on that day.
Now we asked Tori (Gurley) and we asked Cliff (Matthews) this also, but it’s 2015 and your now a 5 year veteran of the NFL. Where are you at in your career? Are you a Pro Bowler…?
I expect to be a multiple pro bowler by then ha ha, hopefully a 3-time pro bowler! I definitely expect to be a great player. Understanding the game by that point after being a player for 5 years and being able to take the game into my own hands.
Cliff Matthews was a key member of South Carolina’s arguablly most talented recruiting classes (2007) in recent history. Matthews, a former 5-Star recruit and 4 year starter for Steve Spurrier’s defense now prepares to take the next step as he prepares for the NFL Draft. We were granted an exclusive interview with Cliff and spoke to him about his career as a South Carolina Gamecock, and some things he was able to take away from his experiences as a collegiate football star. We want to thank Cliff for taking the time to speak with us, as he transitions to the NFL and hears his name called by NFL officials in the 2011 NFL Draft, begining April 28th. Best of luck Cliff and thank you for your 4 years of service as a Gamecock!
How can you describe your experience that the NFL Scouting Combine?
It was mostly business, very little fun but mostly business. I went down there and it was one thing after another after another. One thing that was real big for them was being on time. If you were on time, then you’re late. Having to be about 15 minutes early to wherever you were going. But overall it was mostly business.
Were there any players that you bonded with or grew closer to at the combine?
I spoke to a couple guys, and saw a couple guys. I spoke with Casey Matthews (LB Oregon) my cousin on my daddy’s momma’s side….ha ha. I saw Kenrick Ellis (Hampton), Ladi (Ajiboye of South Carolina) Robert Quinn (UNC) and spoke with him. Like I said though, it was mostly business.
What teams requested interviews with you while you were at the combine? Can you elaborate a little further on the process and the types of questions you were asked?
I met with a lot of teams. I met with Green Bay and I met with the Lions. Some of the questions that they consisted of were half football 101 and the other half was getting to know you and what type of person you are, where you come from and how my community helped me thus far getting where I’m at today. I don’t have anything to hide so I was prepared for anything they had to throw at me. I was just being honest and the rest would take care of itself.
Do you feel you improved your draft positioning during you combine performance?
I feel like I did pretty good, but I feel like I can do better. And I’m going try to improve for pro day.
A lot scouts are projecting you as mid range 3rd-5th round pick, what are some things that you’re being told as far as where you might be drafted?
Well I haven’t been really paying attention to the draft and which round I’m going to go in. I can’t really control that, so the main thing that I focus is on is getting better each day and working on my weaknesses. I want to be the best player that I can be and maximize my performance. I still have a lot to work on, don’t get me wrong. I’m only 21 and I have a lot of learning to do. I have plenty of time.
We understand that you are in Columbia training at the university, while you finish your education and working with South Carolina strength coach Fitzgerald. Do you feel you are at a disadvantage not being able to train at the professional facilities that many of the prospects are training at?
I don’t mean any disrespect to any of the NFL programs or the other workout facilities, but I just made a rational decision based on what was best for me. I feel like staying in school and graduating and getting my diploma was important.
You made it to the SEC championship in your senior year; do you feel that you reached your goals as far as team goals during your career at South Carolina?
Since my 4 years there. I feel like the class of 2011, when we first came built the legacy. We helped slowly turn the program around. We were on the right steps of doing what we felt we were going to do when we first committed to South Carolina. I felt like we left a legacy behind for the upcoming guys to finish off what we started.
Do you feel that you exceeded or met your personal goals?
I feel great about my performance. The first couple of years I set goals for myself and I was on the right. But the last 2 years, I didn’t set goals. The only goal was to win and do whatever it takes to win and we were on the right track.
You weren’t the type of player that produced huge numbers as far as sacks, but your tackles for loss were huge. Do you feel that your lack of big statistics scare of scouts?
I really don’t need to get caught up on numbers, but stats don’t lie but neither does tape. I feel like I’ve got pretty decent tape and I know that I do have what it takes to play at the next level. All I’m asking for is a shot, let me put my foot in the door and I can pretty much work my way up… I’ve got to crawl before I walk.
How can you sum up your 4 years of playing football under head coach Steve Spurrier?
I can remember the first game I came to before I committed, it was the Auburn game about 5 years ago. We were so close to winning that game. After that Coach Spurrier said we were one defensive end from winning that game and that meant a lot to me and that motivated me to commit to South Carolina
Was coach pretty rough on you, he always had such great things to say about you in the media and often referred to you as the “anchor” of his defense. How hard was he really on you?
Coach Spurrier was pretty rough on me now! That’s the kind of coach that I like, a coach that’s rough on you and wants to pull out the best potential in you. I’ve made some bonehead mistakes but it made me better and it made me stronger and a better player. I can remember the Tennessee game my freshmen year, I think I ran into the punter. I think I saw the picture on your site but that’s when I ran into the punter, Coach Spurrier got on me pretty good.
Are you more comfortable playing on the line or dropping back and playing line backer in a 3-4 defensive scheme?
I feel comfortable playing either one. The majority teams I met with were 34 (3-4 defensive scheme) teams and it there were very few that ran a 4-3. Either way I have experience with standing up and having my hands down. I’m prepared for wherever they want to play me at.
Do you feel as a leader of the defense you were able to help mold Devin Taylor? He came to SC and began playing and producing early similar to your experience as a young defensive end for the Gamecocks?
I feel like I lead by example. Yah’ know Devin doesn’t really talk much, but I showed him I was an example of how he wanted to play and Devin just picked on playing for us and making tackles. I didn’t have to say much to him, he’s a smart kid. He does the right thing, he just picked on and everything just started clicking
It’s 2015 and you’re a 5-year veteran of the NFL. Where are you in your career at this point and where are you looking to go as a professional football player?
Well I think I’m to the point where I’m peaking and I’m hitting on cylinders, I’m assuming I’m at the point where signing a new contract…. I think in 5 years that’s plenty enough time to be knocking on the door at the Pro Bowl.
Late last night we got an email from an excited Tori Gurley. He told us to check out his official 40 time as he improved it 2 tenths of a second from what was originally reported. It was first recorded as a 4.55 and came in officially at 4.53. Congrats to Tori for this improvement as his stock continues to rise daily. Look for Tori’s next appearance at South Carolina’s pro day on March 30th in Columbia, S.C.
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