Aaron Dobson, WR

03/17/2013 - 2013 Marshall Pro Day: Scouts had to wait a little bit longer to see former Marshall WR Aaron Dobson run the 40-yard dash, but they had to have liked what they saw. A hamstring injury kept him from participating in on-field activities at the NFL Combine, but he was ready to go for Marshall's Pro Day on Wednesday and didn't show any residual signs of that hammy tweak. Dobson ran times of 4.42 and 4.40 seconds in Huntington.

Remember what NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said of the importance of speed, especially for wideouts and corners? If Dobson would have run those times at the Combine, he would have been sixth-fastest among those who ran in Indianapolis. The South Charleston High graduate already is highly regarded after standout performances at Senior Bowl practices. Those 40 times prove he can motor. I'll be stunned if he waits very long to get a phone call during the NFL Draft. - Derek Redd, The Charleston Daily Mail

Full Aaron Dobson News Wire

Dobson finished his high school career with 108 receptions while also lettering in basketball three times and track once, and chose Marshall over Hofstra, Delaware, West Virginia and Wake Forest.

Dobson is a speed burner who was clocked with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash during the preseason in 2009, according to the school. After seeing limited action as a freshman, he led the team with 44 catches for 689 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore.

He was again the team's leading receiver with 49 catches for 668 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns in 2011. That earned Dobson a spot on the preseason Biletnikoff Award watch list.

"I try not to let it get to my head. I'm a humble person," Dobson said.

Dobson missed two games in 2012, but still finished with a career-high 57 receptions, third on the team, for 679 yards and three touchdowns.

Dobson closed his career with 165 receptions for 2,398 yards and 24 touchdowns in 47 games. He averaged 14.5 yards per catch for his career, and the 24 touchdowns tied longtime New England Patriots Troy Brown for fourth on the school's all-time record book.

STRENGTHS: Savvy route-runner whose body control and reliable hands made him a standout at the Senior Bowl. Good attention to detail. He sets up defensive backs well, selling his routes to push defensive backs deep even on running plays and showing off strength and determination as a downfield blocker. He also consistently worked his way back to the quarterback. Can leap high, contort his body and haul in difficult passes in deep coverage. Very good hand-eye coordination and shows the ability to make the difficult reception look easy. Is consistently able to make the reception despite defenders in close proximity. Voted team captain in 2012.

WEAKNESSES: May be a better football player than athlete and therefore may lack upside. Good, not great quick-twitch athleticism to make defenders miss in tight quarters and does not possess elite top-end speed. Smaller than expected hands (8 1/2") given his size. Is not the punishing blocker his size would indicate, though he made improvements in this area as a senior.

COMPARES TO: Sidney Rice, WR, Seattle Seahawks -- Possessing impressive height, good overall athleticism and the ability to make the tough reception in traffic, Dobson could emerge as a starting caliber split end despite less than ideal straight-line speed.

--Rob Rang