While 0.2 seconds may not seem like much to most people, it could be the difference between a shot at a pro career and being forced to hang up the cleats after university.
When Doug Corby ran his first 40-yard dash at the 2016 CFL Combine this past weekend, he couldn’t believe how slow he was.
The fourth-year receiver from Queen’s, one of the fastest prospects in the country, posted a time just over 4.7 seconds, when he typically runs between 4.4 to 4.5.
It turns out that the initial result was a mistake. Combine organizers realized Corby’s time was entered incorrectly (he ran 4.55 seconds), and his second attempt was actually 4.50 seconds — making his the best 40-yard dash time on the day.
“It definitely feels good being the fastest there,” Corby said. “Those are the best guys in the country.”
Corby was the lone Queen’s representative for the national combine, but two other Gaels were at regional combines during the week: fellow receiver Curtis Carmichael and offensive lineman Erick Lessard.
Though he was successful at the combine, Corby said he knows it’s just one part of the greater draft process, which includes evaluation of game film, highlight tapes and an extensive interview process.
“[The combine] doesn’t really show what you can do on the field,” he said, adding it’s a good way to showcase raw abilities such as speed and strength.
“It’s a different aspect coming from a university to a professional level … it’s a business.”
“They really want to get to know who you are so they can actually value you and put money into you.”
The weekend included a one-on-one TV interview with TSN’s Fahran Lalji, which Corby described as “a dream come true.”
Corby said he’s focused on building up the blocking and physical side of his game before he prepares for the 2016 draft in Toronto on May 10.
“It’s a waiting game … the draft is a month and a half away,” Corby said.
As soon as Corby gets back to Kingston this week to continue training, he and Carmichael have a plan on how to celebrate their hard work in the combines.
“It’s going to be nice to go to Little Caesars and get this deep-dish bacon-wrapped pizza,” Corby said.
“The past two months, we’ve trained really hard and our diets have been very strict … no fatty food or any bad food. It’s going to be nice to get a little cheat meal in.”
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