The Bears' quest for backfield speed took a very serious step up with Tuesday's Texas Longhorns' pro day.
It's usually that way at the Longhorns' pro day, with a program known for churning out displays of raw speed like you'd see from a world class 4 by 100-meter relay team.
Both Bears GM Ryan Polesand running backs coach Eric Bieniemy were in attendance, according to reports, and what they witnessed would have been enough to get coach Ben Johnson interested. In fact, the original Ben Johnson of sports–the Canadian Olympic sprinter–might have been interested in it.
Texas running back Jaydon Blue ran a reported 4.25 time for the 40-yard dash after he had run 4.38 at the combine.
Jaydon Blue was flying for the 40 👀@Jaydonblue23 pic.twitter.com/0AsS1nn1yL
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) March 25, 2025
The run he made at the combine came while he was still getting over the effects of an injury so he felt compelled to improve on the time on the friendlier track.
"During the combine I was dealing with a little groin injury," he told reporters at the event. "I had found out I ran with a small tear in my groin. So it kind of affected the way I ran.
#Texas RB Jaydon Blue ran 4.25-4.28 at the Pro Day this afternoon.
Blue ran 4.38 at the NFL Combine, though it was discovered after he had a slight tear in his groin.
📈 pic.twitter.com/Vitfx1Zm9t
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) March 25, 2025
"I couldn't open up the way I wanted to. For me to be able to come out healthy and be able to showcase what I can really do out here it was a good feeling."
Pro day 40-yard dashes are often called the "39-yard dash" because they produce some very friendly times.
Various other watches at this event did have him ranging from 4.26 to 4.29. Any way it's sliced, he was moving.
Asked Jaydon Blue when he found out about the grade II groin strain...
He says an ultrasound revealed it in training, weeks before the combine
Today, Blue was clocked at 4.25-4.28 in his 40
"I was healthy today, as you can see I ran the time that I wanted"#HookEm | #Texas pic.twitter.com/0FgQIiRuY1
— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) March 26, 2025
The combine record is 4.21 set by his former teammate, Xavier Worthy.
For all his speed, Blue is not a back any team could depend on for a starting role. He ran for only 1,161 yards on 214 carries in three seasons with the Longhorns and never really displayed his potential coming out of the backfield as a receiver until his final year, when he caught 42 passes for 368 yards and six TDs. Blue had 11 rushing TDs for his career.
DRAFT NEWS🚨:
The Pittsburgh Steelers have scheduled a Top-30 visit with Texas RB Jaydon Blue.
Blue reportedly ran a 4.28-4.29 at his pro day earlier this afternoon, a big improvement to his already solid 4.38 40-yard dash in Indy.
2024 Stats: 134 CAR + 730 YDS + 8 TD pic.twitter.com/V4nQBf3Vby
— Steelers Draft HQ (@SteelersDraftt) March 26, 2025
He played as the backup to Tre Wisner last year. Unlike some other backs in the draft, Blue wasn't much of a return man. He had only three kick returns.
Blue might not even be the one the Bears were interested in seeing.
Blue is not rated among the top 10 backs in the draft by Mel Kiper Jr. and Pro Football Focus rates him 126th among prospects, which puts him in the fourth round. He is their 12th best back in this draft.
The 4.38 40 time definitely shows on tape for Texas RB Jaydon Blue. 7 fumbles on 200 rushing attempts the last two years is definitely a concern but he is a legitimate threat to score anytime he touches the football. pic.twitter.com/G8wEgDBcId
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) March 20, 2025
Of course Blue wasn't the only reason for the Bears to send brass to the Texas pro day.
Cornerback Gavin Holmes turned in a 4.38-4.44 in the 40 and had a 39-inch vertical leap, according to Zach Dimmitt of Texas Longhorns On SI.
Texas receiver Silas Bolden was clocked at 4.38 in the 40 and receiver Isaiah Bond in 4.34 seconds. The Bears have slated Bond for a visit to Halas Hall. He'll also visit the Packers, Rams and Falcons according to Longhorns reporter C.J. Vogel.
A few notable faces from the NFL at Texas Pro Day
- Aaron Glenn (New Jets HC)
- Ryan Poles (Bears GM)
- Eric Bieniemy ( Bears RB coach)#Hookem pic.twitter.com/a2LehTDQmC
— LeVon Whittaker TV (@levonwhitt_tv) March 25, 2025
X: BearsOnSI