Outdoor Track and Field on Flotrack 2013Mar 26, 2013 by Christopher Chavez
Manti Te'o Runs 40 Yard Dash in 4.69, Not Really an Improvement Boldon Says
Manti Te'o Runs 40 Yard Dash in 4.69, Not Really an Improvement Boldon Says

Linebacker Manti Te'o returned to the Loftus Center on Notre Dame's campus on Tuesday for the school's Pro Day and another shot of improving his 40-yard dash time which disappointed scouts at the NFL Combine.
Once regarded a top 10 pick for the upcoming NFL Draft, Te'o is currently ranked 19th and 32nd overall in mock drafts by ESPN's Mel Kiper and Todd McShay respectively.
On Tuesday, Te'o's 40-yard dash times were clocked at 4.75 and 4.71 unofficially by McShay. Notre Dame's 40-yard dash times were hand timed and the calculated to get as close to what would be electronically timed at the combine.
Notre Dame had Te'o running 4.69 unofficially, which would make him the fifth fastest linebacker at the combine.
Four-time Olympic medalist and NFL speed coach, Ato Boldon, did not see much of a difference in form for Te'o from his run at the combine to his pro day run. There is still work to do with Te'o.
"(Te'o) stands up too early," Boldon said. "His head and neck are back, so he is pulling down the field. Lots to fix. Whoever coached him didn't focus on fundamentals."
One issue that Boldon took to the Twittersphere is the fact that media outlets like ESPN are reporting an improvement in speed.
Ultimately linebackers are not judged on the 40-yard dash time, but more on their game tape. Te'o's tape is filled with highlights from the Fighting Irish's run to the BCS National Championship, where the undefeated season ended with a 42-14 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide.MEDIA: check how many scouts at the Combine had Te’o in 4.7 (or better) hand timed - so what improved? You’re reporting an IMPROVEMENT!?
— Ato Boldon (@AtoBoldon) March 26, 2013
The NFL Draft begins April 25 in New York City. Te'o will not be in attendance, but will await his draft announcement from home with family.
Here is the video of Te'o running at the NFL Combine via Youtube