National Football League

Diminutive Kent State RB runs blazing dash in Indy

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:30 p.m. ET

foxsports

Dri Archer missed backing up his boast, but you have to give the Kent State running back credit for an oh-so-close effort.

Running the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine on Sunday, Archer put up a time of 4.26 seconds. Archer had predicted before his arrival that he would beat the mark of 4.24 by Chris Johnson in 2008.

Johnson tweeted that Archer had him on edge.

Georgia Southern running back Jerick McKinnon's 4.41 was the day's No. 2 time in Indianapolis, and Archer did eclipse the 4.27 run by Buffalo Bills receiver Marquise Goodwin at the 2013 NFL Combine.

The burst of speed adds to the intrigue surrounding Archer ahead of the NFL Draft this spring. As a Kent State junior, Archer garnered attention as an all-around threat with 1,429 rushing yards -- 9 yards per carry -- as well an average of more than 14 yards per catch and three kickoff returns for touchdowns.

His numbers were not as gaudy during an injury-marred senior season, and Archer's 5-foot-8 frame gives pro scouts a built-in excuse to shy away from him.