LaMichael James Runs Fast—Very Fast—At NFL Combine

Watching live and waiting for LaMichael James to run his first 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine today was excruciatingly nerve-wracking. My poor husband, trying to get some work done in his home office, was startled by my shrieks when it looked as if LaMike had run the fastest 40 by a running back.

His unofficial time was 4.37, the fastest at the time. When James got up for his second dash attempt, he was tied with Chris Rainey, RB at Florida. But LaMike did it again—4.37! Just a few moments later, Rainey's second attempt clocked unofficially at 4.41.

I am now dancing around my kitchen. LaMike! LaMike! LaMike!

I'm very happy I did not write the headline for this piece at that moment. It was to read "LaMichael James Wins the RB 40-yard Dash."

Alas, once the times were made official, James was in second place behind Miami RB Lamar Miller. Miller's official time was 4.40, while LaMike's was 4.45. Tied with James in second were Rainey and Ronnie Hillman from San Diego State.

To the naked eye watching on high-def big screen, James honestly looked the fastest among all the running backs. But my husband says I am not objective about this kid, and he's probably right. I am, however, unclear about how two blazing 4.37s end up officially at 4.45. Just sayin'.

No matter. The dude was and is fast. James had to run as fast as expected today to keep himself in the conversation, and he did what he needed to do.

Please watch this space later in the week when I recap how all six former Oregon players did at the combine.

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