Why Ohio State football’s Chase Young will not run the 40-yard dash before NFL Draft 2020

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young reacts on the field in the Big Ten Championship game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ohio State football star edge rusher Chase Young will not work out at the NFL Scouting Combine. While he plans to do position drills at the Buckeyes' pro day, he will not run the 40-yard dash for time.Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio State football star defensive end Chase Young may be establishing a new precedent for elite players in the NFL draft process.

Young already said he will not participate in any workout aspects of this week’s NFL Scouting Combine. He confirmed Thursday that he will do position drills at Ohio State’s pro day. However, he will not do other physical testing, including the 40-yard dash.

The reason? Young does not want to train for running the 40. Instead, he said he is focusing on football workouts only in anticipation of next fall’s NFL debut.

“That first day of camp, when I step on the field, I want to be the best player I can be,” Young said. “I don’t want to waste time trying to be a combine athlete. When I step on the field, I need to know I put my best foot forward at being the best player I can be.”

The 40 is one of the staple events annually at the combine. It draws a lot of attention and TV viewers want to see which players at each position group post the fastest number. Players work on sprint technique with specialists ahead of the combine and pro days.

By shaving off hundredths of a second, they can stand out in their position groups.

In Young’s case, however, there would seem to be a little benefit. He is already widely expected to go No. 2 overall to Washington, barring a trade of that pick. As he pointed out, he led the nation with 16.5 sacks (in only 12 games) in 2019. Pro Football Focus reported Young achieved the highest pass rushing grade it has recorded.

Does Young really need a 40 time to prove he is the fastest player in the country at getting to the quarterback?

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