Former Terps post fastest 40 yard dash times at NFL Combine

Only two players represented the University of Maryland at the 2022 NFL Combine, but both shined. Safety Nick Cross and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo both elevated their draft stock with standout performances as both walked away with the fastest 40 yard dash times in their respective position groups.

Okonkwo’s day started with a 4.52 forty, the only tight end to run a sub-4.6. “You could see it right from the start he jumped out there,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said. Okonkwo also had the second-highest vertical among tight ends, jumping 35.5 inches. He measured in at 6-foot-2.5 and 248 pounds, with 32 3/4” arms and 9 3/4” hands.

During the on-field drills, Okonkwo caught the ball extremely well and had no problems with his routes. He could have run faster during the gauntlet drill, but he did well catching during the drill. He finished his day with a nice catch during the end zone drill. During the blocking drill, Okonkwo had an issue when he lifted Fred the Sled instead of driving it.

Okonkwo also got plenty of praise from a few members of the NFL Network crew. Both Daniel Jeremiah and Peter Schrager had good things to say about him. Chig’s name was on the list of Day One winners from NFL.com. He might have guaranteed his name being called during the draft.

Cross finished tied for eighth at the NFL combine in the 40 yard dash, posting 4.34 seconds. Cross’s time is also tied for second among safeties in combine history.

Cross, who admitted in pre-combine interviews he grew up a “die-hard of Washington,” happened to post his second run during an interview with former Terp and current Colts head coach Frank Reich.

Cross also finished fourth in the vertical with 37” and third in the broad at 10-foot-10”, placing him in the top five in every statistical category he participated in. His measurements at the combine were 6-foot, 212 pounds, 31 1/2”, and 9” hands.

Cross might have been better during the on-field drills than Okonkwo was. He looked fluid when backpedaling and turning and on the drills that involved tracking deep passes, Cross located the ball with ease. Like Okonkwo, he also had a perfect run on the gauntlet drill. One more thing that Cross did to help his stock was that he caught the ball.

The former DeMatha Stag was named a winner from day four on NFL.com. He might have moved himself into a day two selection in the NFL Draft. Up next for both of these players is their pro day, which is set for March 30th. Maryland’s spring practice, meanwhile, begins on March 29th.