Ohio State Cameron Brown Looking To Race His Way Up Draft Boards At NFL Combine

INDIANAPOLIS -- Speed wins. It always has, and always will be the top priority for athletes. 

It's the one thing Cameron Brown is banking on to separate himself from other cornerbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine Friday inside the walls of Lucas Oil Stadium. But how fast does he expect to run? 

 “My goal is to run a 4.2," Brown said Thursday during his combine interview Thursday morning. 

It's a bold goal for the former Ohio State cornerback but a warranted one. After all, should Brown surpass the 4.2 40-time, or even push into the 4.1 range, that would be a new NFL record, one that former Washington receiver John Ross III set in 2017. 

For Brown, looking like "The Flash" isn't some general thought that just popped into his head. It was a plan set in motion in 2020 when he tweeted that he was the fastest defensive back in the NFL. 

Life has vastly changed for Brown in the last three years, but his intent has not. When asked if he planned to fulfill the prolonged goal, Brown didn't shy away from the challenge. 

“I’ve always had confidence in myself inside. Now I’m more like public with my confidence,” Brown said. “I feel like I can do anything, and I’m not afraid to show it.”

Confidence is vital when playing cornerback at any level, and Brown exudes it. He might not that the same stats as those nearing first-round conversations. He doesn't care, either. Put him up against the best of the bunch and he'll walk away victorious. 

Why? Brown credits the defensive staff during his five years in Columbus. That started with Jeff Hafley. Then it carried over to Kerry Coombs and a year later Tim Walton. All three have coaching experience at the professional level coaching secondaries. 

“Most college coaches try to just teach certain things, but they showed me the more detailed part of the game that’s not only athletic ability," Brown said of the Because when you get to the NFL, everybody's talented, everybody's athletic. It's all about what are you going to do with it.”

It's not just the work in coverage with Walton and others that Brown considers a strength. It's the work against quarterback and potential top draft selection C.J. Stroud. 

Brown would go head-to-head with future No. 1 receivers in practice, looking to bait Stroud into throwing his way. Sometimes it worked out for the best. Other times, Stroud had the upper hand. Either way, Brown considered it a learning experience to better his craft for Saturday matchups. 

"In the games, it's so much easier because nobody could put the ball where he puts it. And we have great receivers for him to throw to,” Brown said of Stroud. “So when I get to the league, it's gonna be pretty much the same where everybody’s gonna be a great quarterback.”

Testing will be critical to Brown's draft stock due to his previous injuries. Brown missed at least four games every season since 2020, including five in 2022. Prior to his arrival at the press conference, Brown received a clean bill of health and is now expected to work all drills. 

“My body feels amazing, so I’m just ready to go out there,” Brown said.

Quick has always been a part of Brown's repertoire. He's fast on the field and even quicker on the podium. Known for his quiet demeanor, Brown would rather let his skills do the talking than his mouth. 

Don't worry. They will on Friday afternoon. And as for what teams can expect from Brown? He said that his confidence would set him apart. 

Well, that, plus his speed. 

“I feel like they’re gonna get a young, confident corner who's very physical, who's long, fast, and not afraid to compete with anybody,” Brown said.

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