NFL COMBINE

Davis jumps off bench, posts flashy 4.37 in 40

Arkansas running back Knile Davis runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas running back Knile Davis runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

— Former Arkansas tailback Knile Davis continued to shine at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, running a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash to place second among all running backs.

Davis told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette last week he hoped to run a sub 4.4 time at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and he exceeded that goal.

Davis, who trained at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in McKinney, Texas, deemed the combine a potential “make or break” event for him and he responded to the challenge.

On Saturday, he bench pressed 225 pounds 31 times to finish second behind fullback Tommy Bohanon of Wake Forest.

Davis’ 4.37 in the 40 trailed only Auburn’s Onterio McCalebb, who was timed in 4.34. The next fastest running back was Utah State’s Kerwynn Williams (4.48).

Davis, who said Friday in Indianapolis that all of his medical tests turned out well, knew he needed a strong combine.

“I think the thing that sets me apart is the size, speed, agility combination,” Davis told reporters at the combine on Friday.

“I think that is a rare combination that you just don’t find every year. The guy I really compare myself to would be more of an Arian Foster, Adrian Peterson. Arian Foster with the zone running. I’m really good at running the zone and just the size and speed of Adrian Peterson.”

Texas receiver Marquise Goodwin clocked a 4.27, the fastest time this season, followed by West Virginia’s Tavon Austin and Texas A&M’s Ryan Swope, who each were timed in 4.34.

Arkansas’ Cobi Hamilton clocked a 4.56 in the 40 and was not among the leaders.

The Razorbacks’ Tyler Wilson ran the 40 in 4.97 to rank ninth among the 16 quarterbacks behind event winner Geno Smith of West Virginia (4.59).

Wilson tied for sixth in the broad jump at 9 feet, 4 inches, trailing the leader Smith (10-4).

For full combine results, go to nfl.com/combine/tracker.

Sports, Pages 15 on 02/25/2013

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