Ginn clocks 4.3s in 40-yard sprint for scouts

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Although his stamina was less than ideal following months of rehabilitation for a sprained foot, Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. was still clocked in the 4.3s in the 40-yard sprint during a Wednesday workout for NFL scouts, a performance which likely strengthened his status as a top 15 selection in this month's draft.

Ginn, who was unable to work out at the NFL combine sessions at Indianapolis in February, and, thus, was viewed as a bit of a wild card in the first round, ran the 40 three times during Wednesday's campus audition. According to scouts present at the workout, Ginn's times were between 4.37-4.45 seconds.

Todd McShay: Draft buzz
Ohio State WR/RS Ted Ginn Jr. was finally able to perform for NFL scouts on Wednesday, just 17 days prior to the 2007 draft (April 28-29). In his most recent draft buzz, Todd McShay writes that Wednesday's workout probably didn't do much to sway scouts' opinions one way or the other on Ginn. • Complete draft buzz

Overall conditioning remains a problem, however, for Ginn, who probably needs three or four more weeks to be back to optimum shape. Ginn suffered a left mid-foot sprain when teammates piled on him to celebrate his 93-yard touchdown return of the opening kickoff in the BCS championship game against the University of Florida more than two months ago.

The workout on Wednesday consisted of Ginn running the 40 and of going through a series of receiving drills. Scouts said Ginn caught the ball well and demonstrated a fluid running style but that, with his foot still not 100 percent, he was not as explosive in and out of his cuts as they project him to be when he is fully recovered.

Most teams rate Ginn the No. 2 wide receiver prospect in the draft, behind only Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson, and some projections have him a top 10 choice. Beyond the foot injury, the only other concerns about Ginn revolve around his thin build. At the combine, he measured 5-feet-11 ¼ and 178 pounds.

In three seasons, Ginn was one of the college game's most dynamic playmakers, both as a receiver and a return man. He posted 125 receptions for 1,943 yards and 15 touchdowns in 37 games at Ohio State. Ginn averaged 14.1 yards and scored six times on 64 punt returns. He scored two touchdowns, and averaged 26.6 yards on 38 kickoff returns, and rushed 28 times for 213 yards and three touchdowns.

His six touchdowns on combined kick returns tied an NCAA career record.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

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