Top 10 official 40 times for safeties at 2022 NFL Scouting Combine

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The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine has officially completed on Sunday afternoon. College football safety prospects from around the country performed in drills today and their official 40-times were released on NFL.com. Let’s take a look at the Top 10 official 40-yard dash times for this year’s group of safeties at the NFL Scouting Combine.

1. Nick Cross, Maryland Terrapins: 4.34 seconds

Cross led the safety group in the 40-yard dash at the combine. The 6-foot-1, 215 pound safety was named three-time honorable mention All-Big Ten during the 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons.

2. Percy Butler, Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns: 4.36 seconds

Butler made an appearance near the top of this list. In 2021, he racked up 61 tackles, six tackles for loss, one interception, four pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries. He took the opportunity to perform before a nationally televised audience on NFL Network and ran with it. The big-time performance likely boosted his draft stock and he also performed well in other drills.

3. J.T. Woods, Baylor Bears: 4.36 seconds

J.T. Woods was part of a trio of Baylor Bears that ran sub 4.4 40-yard dash times at the combine. The Bears had more players run sub 4.4 second times at a single combine since 2003. Those numbers are very impressive. The real question is what on Earth happened in 2003? Regardless, while Woods’ 40 today was impressive, his on-the-field production was among the nation’s elite. The former Baylor star was tied for first in the country with interceptions in 2021-2022, with six picks.

4. Tycen Anderson, Toledo Rockets: 4.36 seconds

Anderson received some love this evening from fellow Toledo Rocket, Andrew Hawkins on NFL Network. The praise was well-deserved. He’s been an excellent athlete for quite some time. In high school, he posted a 23 feet, 5.5 inch long jump in track for St. John’s Jesuit (Toledo, Ohio). Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy praised him on Twitter before the 2021-2022 college football season and on Sunday, Anderson showed why.

5. Lewis Cine, Georgia Bulldogs: 4.37 seconds

NFL teams already had first-round grades on Cine before his incredible performance on Sunday, according to Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy. Not only did he run a blazing 40-yard dash, he posted a broad jump of 11-feet, 1-inch. The former MVP of the 2022 CFP Championship Game likely locked up his status as a first round selection.

6. Dax Hill, Michigan Wolverines: 4.38 seconds

Anthony Treash of PFF noted, “Don’t be surprised if Hill climbs into the first round after his week in Indy.” He’s probably right after he posted a 40 time like that. He earned first team All-Big Ten honors from the league’s coaches in 2021 and second team All-Big Ten honors from the media this season, as well.

7. Markquese Bell, Florida A&M Rattlers: 4.41 seconds

Bell posted big-time numbers during the 2021-2022 season for the Florida A&M Rattlers. He racked up 95 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and one pass breakup. His impressive 40-time today likely made him a much more known commodity on a national scale, which is part of the beauty of the event. His film caught the eye of NFL Network’s Charles Davis and after today, many others will likely know about the former Rattler.

8. Dane Belton, Iowa Hawkeyes: 4.43 seconds

The former Iowa Hawkeye impressed in a variety of drills. He not only posted a blazing 40 time, but he showed off his 36.5-inch vertical leap. Belton was a first team All-Big Ten selection this season for the Hawkeyes after snatching four interceptions. His four picks tied him for fourth in the nation.

9. Bubba Bolden, Miami Hurricanes: 4.47 seconds

Bolden injured his shoulder against Virginia on Sept. 30 and eventually had to shut it down for much of the 2021-2022 season. His 40-time likely turned heads and showed scouts that he’s healthy once again. His true breakout season came in 2020, when he had about as solid a performance as possible. In his first season as Miami’s starting safety, he appeared in all 11 games, he amassed 74 total tackles (50 solo stops), a sack, four forced fumbles, an interception and three passes defended, showing his ability to make noise in all parts of the defense.

10. Delarrin Turner-Yell, Oklahoma Sooners: 4.47 seconds

The former Oklahoma Sooner star was named second team All-Big 12 after the 2021-2022 season by the league’s coaches. He racked up 52 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions this season. For his entire career at Oklahoma, he tallied six pass breakups. His excellent 40 time today likely turned heads of many decision makers across the league.

It will be exciting to see the NFL career path of all the prospects above and many others that participated in the drills this weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine.

On3’s Simon Gibbs also contributed to this report.