Florida CB Joe Haden ran 40-yard dash at NFL Scouting Combine with lower back sprain

Top-rated cornerback Joe Haden of Florida came in to the combine looking to solidify himself as a top ten pick. Many, including NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, had expected Haden to run in the 4.4 range, but when the Florida Gator hit the track things did not turn out as excepted.

Haden recorded unofficial times of 4.57 and 4.60.

The Florida cornerback looked uncomfortable from the beginning of his runs and it did not go unnoticed. NFL Network analayst Deion Sanders had said, “First of all, it was a horrible stance. I don’t know what he’s being taught — sometimes you’ve just got to let a guy run. Tweak him a little bit but don’t try to change everything.”

Haden’s father, Joe Haden Sr., says that there is a reason his son ran so poorly in Indianapolis. Joe Sr. serves as the personal trainer for his son. According to Joe Sr., his son’s 40-yard dash time suffered due to a lower back sprain. The injury tightened up and caused the defensive back to run a much slower 40 time than anticipated.

“We had stopped doing some of the heavier lifting, but it just stiffened up on him, one of those things,” Haden Sr. said. “It just really affected him. I wish I had known, because I would have had him not even work out.”

Haden will look to improve his time at the Florida Pro Day.

“For Joe, all his life, (speed) has been his biggest strength. So for something to happen like that for him, I mean, Joe ran a 4.5 40 in the ninth grade. It was just something that was a blip,” Haden Sr. said. “But I think that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. It is what it is, and now it’s just time for us to handle our business.

“You ask (UF strength coach) Mickey Marotti, who was one of the fastest guys, explosive and everything at Florida, and he’ll tell you, it was Joe,” Haden Sr. said. “Joe has never never never had an issue with running, with speed, with anything. We didn’t want to put a lot of stuff out in the media and make excuses. The biggest thing was just to come out and do what we do.”

The great thing for Haden is that speed is that his game film is phenomenal. He also stole the show at the combine when competing in on the field drills. There is no question that he can play defensive back and he is still the No. 1 rated player at his position.

Haden Sr. said that his son is running the 40-yard dash every day. While he would not say the latest times that Haden is recording, he did mention that the Florida corner is “back to his regular self.”