UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen, who was in the same combine group as Barnes, clocked a 4.26 40 on Sunday, which is tied for the fourth-fastest time since ’03, behind Ross, Barnes and former Titans RB Chris Johnson (4.24 in 2008). Former Steelers RB Dri Archer ran a 4.26 in 2014, nine years after former Texans WR Jerome Mathis posted the same time.
This year’s combine has turned into a showcase for turf burners from Baylor. Heading into Sunday, Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton had the best time of the ’22 combine. He ran a 4.28 on Thursday night.
Barnes’ speed should not have come as a surprise to NFL evaluators, as he was ranked second on NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s list of candidates to run the fastest 40 in Indianapolis. The 5-foot-11 1/2, 183-pound CB holds the Texas high-school record in the 100-meter dash (10.22 seconds) and was a member of the track team at BU.