National Football League

Smith goes on the clock Saturday morning

Published Feb. 20, 2015 1:06 p.m. ET

foxsports

INDIANAPOLIS -- Now that the NFL Scouting Combine is televised, the spotlight on the 40-yard dash shines even brighter.

Former Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith knows this. And Smith knows he has a chance to light up the board -- NFL Network will have its electronic time on every run -- Saturday morning when he competes in the combine on-field workout alongside quarterbacks, running backs and other wide receivers.

"Hopefully I'll run something in the 4.3 range," Smith said. "Low 4.4s is what I've done, but I'm trying to hang something in the 4.3 range."

Smith, who measured a shade over 6-foot and weighed 196 this week, said he wants to use the on-field workout to show the eyes of the NFL he's "a complete" wide receiver capable of running more than just the deep routes on which he excelled during his college career.

He also doesn't mind showing off his speed. Asked at the Senior Bowl how fast he would run with the cameras and stopwatches on in Indianapolis, Smith said, "Fast. I don't want to put a number on it now, but I think I can put up a number people look twice at. I appreciate people wanting to know."

Based on the Senior Bowl and game taps, Smith and Miami-Florida's Phillip Dorsett are two of the favorites to post the fastest 40-time at this year's combine. The electronic combine record in the 40-yard dash was set by Chris Johnson at 4.24 seconds in 2008. Kent State's Dri Archer ran a posted 4.26 last year.

Smith was a sprinter and state high jump champion in high school and participated in track and field over three spring seasons at Ohio State. He tied for second at the 2014 Big Ten outdoor championships in the high jump by clearing a personal, collegiate-best 7-0.25 in his first competition of the season -- a jump that ranks in the top five in Ohio State history.

He jumped right into the draft process after Ohio State won the national championship on Jan. 12. He spent four days at home, then played in the Senior Bowl the next week. He flew from Alabama to San Diego to train after the Senior Bowl, and he plans to return to Ohio after Saturday's combine workout to continue his draft preparation. Ohio State's pro day is March 13.

Ohio State was 22-0 over the last four seasons when Smith caught a touchdown pass. He caught 12 of them last season, averaging an eye-popping 28.2 yards per catch.

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah ranked Smith No. 24 on his list of top 50 draft prospects this week. Scout.com lists Smith at No. 32 on its overall rankings, and he's ranked No. 27 by ESPN and No. 46 by CBS Sports.

"I'm hoping I go in the first round," Smith said. "Just being in this position, to be here at the combine and (eventually) getting your name called, it's all a blessing to me. Wherever I get picked, whatever round, I'll make the best of it."