Gee-Gees DB/LB Jackson Bennett blazes 40 at Ottawa pro day

University of Ottawa defender Jackson Bennett clearly feels faster on his home turf.

The defensive back ran a speedy 40-yard time at his pro day Friday at Gee-Gees Field.

Bennett ripped off a 4.48 laser 40-yard time in front of Washington Redskins and Ottawa Redblacks scouts. The All-Canadian displayed quick change of direction with a 6.47 three-cone time, 4.02 short shuttle, broad jumped nine feet, eight inches and stood on his CFL combine numbers for the vertical (33.5-inches) and bench (22).

The 5-foot-11, 212-pounder played multiple positions – safety, corner, halfback and linebacker – for the Gee-Gees defence during his career at Ottawa. Bennett has played at a high level regardless of where he’s lined up on the field.

He won the Ontario University Athletics President’s Trophy for the most outstanding defensive player in the conference last season. Bennett had 47 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three pass break-ups, three interceptions, one touchdown, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one sack. He was an All-Canadian as a defensive back and OUA all-star as a returner in 2017 with 19 kick-off returns for 611 yards, including a clutch 99-yard touchdown return with less than two minutes left to lift Ottawa over Queen’s last season, and three punt returns for 53 yards.

The pure speed and quicks displayed at the pro day elevated his stock on both sides of the border. For CFL purposes, Bennett is a likely first-round pick.