Speed does kill in the NFL and for the cornerback positions, it is crucial to close out of receivers to make a play on the ball, prevent giving up the deep ball and closeout on tackles to stop a 5-yard route from being a 40-yard touchdown. Although these corners aren’t highly touted, Baylor’s Kalon Barnes and the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Tariq Woolen caught the eyes of many, landing in the top two corner speeds since the combine was first aired in 2004 on the NFL Network. Barnes standing at 6 foot and 183 lbs, ran a 40-time of 4.23, just a tenth of a second behind Washington’s John Ross record-setting run in 2017 and edging former Tennessee Titans’ running back Chris Johnson by a tenth of a second.
Woolen ran a 40-time of 4.26, just two tenths behind Johnson, landing him fourth all-time.
At Baylor, Barnes had a total of 3 interceptions, a forced fumble and 69 total tackles initially came there as a receiver but switched positions to corner after his freshmen year. Barnes, nicknamed Boogie, is a former Baylor track and field athlete, so his performance in the 40 has some prior skills involved in his performance.
Barnes commented on the NFL’s Twitter after setting the corner record, “It feels amazing to be out here competing with a bunch of guys on the same mission as me, and I feel it’s a real blessing to be out here,” Barnes said.
Baylor also posted the achievement with a Tweet “The FASTEST DB and second fastest 40 in #NFL Combine history.”
On the other hand, Woolen also switched positions from receiver to cornerback after his sophomore year. He had a combined 63 tackles and 2 interceptions at UTSA. He stands out as a big corner at 6-feet 4-inches, weighing 205 lbs. Woolen also showcased his athleticism leading the Combine with a 42-inch vertical. ESPN’s Todd McShay named Woolen the most talented day two prospects in the draft.
Woolen commented on the NFL’s Twitter thanking God, the UTSA football program and HBE. “I just came out here and ran a 4.26, so it’s a blessing and just went down in the history books as one of the top fastest guys in the history of the NFL Combine,” Woolen said.
Going into the combine, Barnes was seen as a possible late-round pick as draft analysis saw him as a practice squad or possible bottom of the roster corner. Woolen was viewed by draft analysis as a late third early fourth-round pick as an above-average backup on the next level.
Seeing these guys with speed then adding full-time professional coaching, both Barnes and Woolen can exceed initial expectations and surge up the draft.
Dat Boy News 
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