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Wednesday, March 17, 2004

TURNS 4.55 SECOND GARDNER-WEBB LINEBACKER JIM MAXWELL (6-4, 241)TIME IN 40-YARD DASH

For Immediate Use: March 17, 2004; GARDNER-WEBB FOOTBALL (NFL DRAFT)
Contact: Marc Rabb, (704) 406-4355; mrabb@gardner-webb.edu


TURNS 4.55 SECOND GARDNER-WEBB LINEBACKER JIM MAXWELL (6-4, 241)TIME IN 40-YARD DASH WEDNESDAY IN FRONT OF NFL SCOUTS


BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. ­ Gardner-Webb graduate student Jim Maxwell, a 6-foot-4, 241-pound linebacker, ran a fast 4.55-second time in the 40-yard dash Wednesday in front of NFL scouts as part of a Pro Timing Day in preparation for April¹s NFL Draft.

Maxwell and receiver William Andrews, Jr., worked out for scouts from the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins on Wednesday in the second of three Pro Timing Days arranged for the two draft prospects.

Maxwell¹s 40-yard dash time would have been the fourth fastest among players timed at the NFL Combine earlier this year ­ faster than Oklahoma All-America Teddy Lehman (4.56 / 4.57), Auburn¹s Dontarrius Thomas (4.63) and Florida State¹s Kendyll Pope (4.71), among others. Prospects at the Indianapolis event are timed on a fast indoor track surface, while both Maxwell and Andrews ran Wednesday on a heavy rye grass natural surface in cleats.

Maxwell (Johnsonville, S.C. / Johnsonville HS) also posted a head-turning time of 6.91 seconds in the 3-cone agility drill, which was beaten at the combine by only one outside linebacker ­ Florida State¹s Michael Boulware (6.89). To put Maxwell¹s time in that drill in perspective, the 6.91 effort was better than all but one running back tested at the Combine ­ Notre Dame¹s Julius Jones ran a 6.89 ­ and all but three wide receivers and corner backs. North Carolina¹s Michael Waddell was the fastest corner in the 3-cone drill, running a solid time of 6.84 seconds ­ a mere seven one hundredths of a second faster than the 241-pound Maxwell.

Andrews, a 6-0, 181-pound standout who finished as Gardner-Webb¹s career leader in receptions (234) and receiving touchdowns (35) in 42 career games, improved his 40-yard dash time considerably by over one-tenth of a second ­ and blistered the 3-cone drill at an eye-popping 6.61 seconds, which was faster than any player ­ at any position ­ tested at the 2004 NFL Combine by almost two tenths of a second. Purdue¹s John Standeford (6.80) and Oklahoma State All-America receiver RaShaun Woods (6.84) were the next fastest among receivers who ran at the Combine.

Both Maxwell and Andrews (Norcross, Ga. / Greater Atlanta Christian) will work out for between five and 10 teams next Friday, March 26, in Spangler Stadium with hopes of improving on a pair of impressive workouts. The workout is scheduled to begin at 1 pm ET in Spangler Stadium.

"In speaking with the scouts over the last few months, and seeing both of these young men develop, I think they helped their chances of playing in the NFL today," said GWU head coach Steve Patton. "Jim has obviously worked hard on improving his speed and agility, and has gained about 7-8 pounds since the end of the season. He looks great and impressed with his 40-yard dash time. William¹s time improved significantly over last week, and his 3-cone drill time was stunningly quick.

"With one more workout scheduled, it¹s likely both of these guys will post even more impressive numbers on March 26. We¹re pulling for them."

On the field last season, Maxwell registered 116 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, an impressive 10 pass break ups, 16 quarterback pressures and three forced fumbles to earn first-team I-AA All-East Region and All-Big South Conference honors. Andrews hauled in a career-best 76 passes for 975 yards and 13 touchdowns, moving to No. 15 on the I-AA career receptions list nationally with a fine campaign.

Media interested in attending next Friday¹s workout should contact GWU Sports Information Director Marc Rabb at (704) 406-4355. Rabb can be reached by email at mrabb@gardner-webb.edu as well.

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