When Javelin K. Guidry met the media on Friday morning at the NFL scouting combine, the former University of Utah nickel back said he expected to run the 40-yard dash on Sunday somewhere in the 4.2s.
That may sound brash, but in fairness, Guidry was the 100-meter champion as a high schooler in two states known for speed, Texas in 2016 and California in 2017 when he ran 10.13.
On Sunday, Guidry was a man of his word, running 4.29 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. That mark was the second-fastest 40 among all prospects at the combine, and tops among defensive backs. Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III ran 4.27 on Thursday night.
Ruggs III and Guidry are the 15th and 16th combine prospects, respectively, to crack 4.3 at the event since 1999, which was the first year the NFL implemented electronic timing. Former All-Pac-12 first-team receiver John Ross of Washington holds the all-time record at 4.22 in 2017. He was selected No. 9 overall that spring by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Guidry did not run the full gamut of combine activities as most other prospects do. He did the bench press on Saturday, putting up 21 reps at 225 pounds, then skipped the three-cone drill, shuttle run, vertical jump, and broad jump on Sunday.
Guidry did what he set out to do by running the 4.29. What events he will participate in, or if he will participate at all at Utah Pro Day on March 26 is unknown.
For what it’s worth, the NFL gives all combine participants a grade on a sliding scale from 5-8. Five represents a “chance to be in an NFL training camp,” while eight represents “the perfect prospect.” Guidry’s 5.46 falls between “priority free agent” and “chance to make end of roster or practice squad.”
Guidry’s grade from the NFL was the lowest among a school-record nine Utah players at the combine. The highest belonged to Zack Moss, whose 6.45 falls in between “will be starter within first two seasons” and “boom or bust prospect.” Moss ran a disappointing 4.65 on Friday night, and is now expected to run the 40 again at Utah Pro Day.
Guidry’s Sunday capped a productive showing for other Utes at the Combine. Jaylon Johnson, who is set to undergo right labrum surgery this week, ran 4.5, while Terrell Burgess ran 4.46, fifth among all safeties. Johnson’s grade of 6.43 falls between the same categories as Moss, while Burgess’ 6.2 represents “good backup who could become starter.”
