USC safety Taylor Mays runs a blazing 4.24 (unofficial) 40-yard dash

USC safety Taylor Mays has undergone some criticism lately due to his lack of eye-popping numbers this season. Mays also struggled at the Senior Bowl, but all of that talk should come to a rest as he just stole the show at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Mays recorded an unofficial time of 4.24 on his first attempt. Wow.

That time, if it stands, would tie Tennessee running back Chris Johnson for the fastest time recorded in combine history. Mays’ time is even more impressive due to his incredible size, 6-foot-3, 230-pounds.

“If a man runs a 4.24 here at 231 pounds, all these egos in these bleachers are thinking, ‘I can work with that,'” said NFL Network analyst and a guy that knows something about having elite speed, Deion Sanders.

There were talks that the USC safety could be slipping into the second-round range, but his unbelievable time could have just secured him a spot in round one.

Mays will need to continue his performance during on the field drill to answer questions about his ball skill and fluidity in his hips. Mike Mayock pointed out that the fast 40 time does not automatically mean elite player.

“I know he’s a specimen,” Mayock said. “I know he’s an unbelievable athlete. I know he’s a freak. I get all that. What you’ve got to see on tape is him making a play. You’ve got two picks in three years. You’ve got to get around the football more often.”

UPDATE: Taylor Mays ran the fastest time of any defensive back at this year’s combine, however, his official time was adjusted to a 4.43.