Robert Spears-Jennings hushes doubters with NFL Combine performance

Boy, did former Oklahoma safety Robert Spears-Jennings make some so-called experts look foolish at the NFL Scouting Combine.

After multiple NFL Draft experts predicted Spears-Jennings to run a 4.5-second or above 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine last week in Indianapolis, he proceeded to shatter those expectations with a blazing 4.32-second 40 time with his first attempt.

Robert Spears-Jennings among fastest players in 2026 NFL Draft class

Spears-Jennings' time was second among participating safeties behind Ohio State's Lorenzo Styles Jr., who clocked a 4.27. It was also the seventh-fastest of all prospects regardless of position. OU wide receiver Deion Burks ran a 4.32 to be at No. 4 overall as the second-fastest receiver, making the Sooners the only program with two players in the top 10 of fastest 40 times.

For another OU comparison, wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. previously had the fastest time by a Sooner after running a 4.38 in 2023, meaning Burks and Spears-Jennings are now the two fastest Sooners ever and were just wearing crimson and cream together. Former OU receiver Brenen Thompson, who transferred to Mississippi State, was the fastest player in the building with a 4.26.

After the showing, Spears-Jennings went to X to point out how silly he made those predictions look by sharing his clip and a comment that said, "They said i was a 4.5-4.6 guy." His teammates, coaches and fans also used social media to celebrate Spears-Jennings' accomplishment.

Speed wasn't the only way Spears-Jennings impressed during the NFL Combine as he proved to be one of the most athletic safeties in the 2026 NFL Draft class. He measured at a towering 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, which made his 40 time even more astounding as it was faster than any safety since 2003 that was listed over 6-foot and 200 pounds. He was the fifth-tallest safety at the combine.

Spears-Jennings also had the No. 3 10-yard split at 1.51 seconds and seventh-fastest top speed at 23.09 miles per hour among participating safeties.

Before the NFL Combine, draft experts were predicting Spears-Jennings to likely go somewhere in the last two rounds, but he just jolted his stock and made himself a lot money in 4.32 seconds at the NFL Combine. Between his size and what he showed off in Indianapolis, Spears-Jennings could hear his name called a lot earlier on Day 3 of April's 2026 NFL Draft.