The 2023 NFL Combine continued on Friday and Michigan’s DJ Turner stole the show with the defensive backs taking center stage. He finds out the fastest DB 40 times and sees the fastest cornerbacks and safeties run their 40-yard dash in Indianapolis.
Michigan cornerback DJ Turner topped the competition with an official 40-yard dash time of 4.26 seconds, making him the fastest athlete at the 2023 NFL Combine.
The Big Ten were well represented by DB at the combine with three of the top 40 fastest times awarded to players from Michigan and Maryland.
Deonte Banks ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and was briefly tied for the fastest athlete in Indianapolis. Not to be outdone, Jakorian Bennett bested his teammate by running a lightning fast 40 seconds with a time of 4.31 seconds.
Together, Turner, Bennett and Banks ranked among the fastest cornerbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Joey Porter Jr. runs a disappointing 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the day, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. clocked just 4.47 seconds.
Porter Jr. was expected to be the first cornerback drafted and a safe first-round pick. While the 40-yard dash time isn’t enough to move the needle on his draft stock, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his stock slip between now and the 2023 NFL Draft.
Watch the DB 40 times faster in the 2023 NFL Draft
Watch the fastest DBs run their 40-yard dash at the NFL combine below.
DJ Turner, CB, Mich. (4.26 seconds)
OFFICIAL:
4.26 40-yard run for Michigan CB DJ Turner! pic.twitter.com/iFYvvW6qNh
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) March 3, 2023
Jakorian Bennett, CB, Md. (4.31 seconds)
Maryland CB Jakorian Bennett beats teammate Deonte Banks with an unofficial 4.31 40-yard dash! #NFLCombine #NFLCombine2023 @ChatSports pic.twitter.com/tE7wQKlaHe
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) March 3, 2023
Deonte Banks, CB, Md. (4.35 seconds)
Maryland CB Deonte Banks Goes FASTER in Race #2
4.35 40 (unofficial) #NFLCombine #NFLCombine2023 @ChatSports pic.twitter.com/Aw6Fx9hgbM
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) March 3, 2023
Emanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State (4.35 seconds)
Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes aka Slender Man with an unofficial 4.35 40 yard dash! #NFLCombine #NFLCombine2023 @ChatSports pic.twitter.com/GZblPRRkP7
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) March 3, 2023
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia (4.36 seconds)
Georgia CB Kelee Ringo with an unofficial 4.36 40 yard rush #NFLCombine #NFLCombine2023 @ChatSports pic.twitter.com/RtHnS4DVv5
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) March 3, 2023
Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina (4.37 seconds)
South Carolina CB Darius Rush with an unofficial 4.37 pic.twitter.com/CfL7zVqvwi
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) March 3, 2023
Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (4.38 seconds)
Oregon CB Christian González goes FASTER in Race #2
4.38 40 (unofficial) #NFLCombine #NFLCombine2023 @ChatSports pic.twitter.com/by3Jod8uqM
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) March 3, 2023
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State (4.47 seconds)
Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. with an unofficial 4.47 40 yard rush #NFLCombine #NFLCombine2023 @ChatSports pic.twitter.com/8CjotYMQOL
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) March 3, 2023
