INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Tycen Anderson looked up after he crossed the finish line in his first attempt in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Sunday. The clock read 4.45. "A nice start," commented one NFL Network analyst. But Anderson was not satisfied.
 
"I saw what other guys were running so I told myself, alright you gotta get that down," said Anderson, a former All-MAC safety for the Rockets who has been preparing for the NFL Draft in late April.
 
On his last attempt, Anderson felt good. He knew it was a good time. When the clock read 4.41 he was satisfied. A short time later he was told his official time: 4.36, his personal-best time in the 40 and tied for the fifth best among all safeties at the Combine.
 
"I saw a 4.41 come up and I knew that was my best time," said Anderson, a Toledo native whose previous best was a 4.43. "Then the official time came in at 4.36 and I was very happy with that.  It was the perfect time to run my best time."
 
Anderson was solid to outstanding in the other tested categories. His Relative Athletic Score (RAC) was a 9.64 out of 10, which ranks 29^th out of 788 safeties who have been tested at the Combine since 1987. His performance in three seasons as a Rocket speak for themselves, but the kind of numbers he put up at the Combine can only improve his prospects to be selected in the draft, which begins with the first round on April 28, rounds two and three on April 29, and rounds four-seven on April 30.
 
Until then, Anderson will continue to train with Rocket football strength and conditioning coach Brad Bichey, as well as with his personal trainer since junior high school, Brandon Carter of Elite Academy Athletics. He plans to be home with his family in Toledo and hope for the best come draft day.
 
"I'm very happy with my overall performance at the Combine. Everything I did, I tested well," said Anderson. "I'm super excited to see what happens next."