Jalen Myrick could always fly. That was apparent, even before the former Gophers cornerback ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds Monday, the fastest time ever recorded by a Big Ten player at the NFL combine.

Myrick's coaches and teammates with the Gophers knew how fast he was. As a junior at Savannah (Ga.) Christian Prep, he ran one of the 10 fastest 100-meter times in the country. And he electrified TCF Bank Stadium as a sophomore for the Gophers, when he returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to beat Northwestern.

But Monday's performance had folks around the country buzzing:

Myrick's 40 time wasn't quite as quick as former Washington wide receiver John Ross, who set a new combine record Saturday with a 4.22. But Myrick proved his first time wasn't a fluke when he ran a 4.32 on his second attempt. Myrick's 4.28 and 4.32 were the two fastest times by a defensive back.

ESPN's Mel Kiper said in December that Myrick and former Gophers safety Damarius Travis were probably Day 3 draft prospects, meaning they would likely get picked between rounds 4-7. Kiper added, "It depends on how they test obviously; the Combine's going to be important, their pro day is important."

It was for Myrick. Now football fans all across the country know he can fly.