Quindell Johnson's speed among standouts at Memphis football pro day

It would've been easy thinking Quindell Johnson had something to prove Monday at Memphis football's pro day.

Johnson didn't get invited the NFL Scouting Combine or the Senior Bowl despite being an All-American Athletic Conference selection in his senior season. But the safety preferred to let his skills talk at the Tigers' indoor practice facility and he was more than pleased with what he showed.

"I really didn't mind not going to the combine because I know, at the end of the day, I was going to do what I needed to do at Pro Day," Johnson said.

Here's three takeaways from the Tigers' Pro Day, including Johnson's performance.

Quindell Johnson shows off speed

Before last season, Johnson said NFL scouts wanted to see his speed, and that was a factor in his decision to return for one more year. Johnson did that with a 40-yard dash time between 4.47 and 4.51 seconds.

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The results were hand-timed, but that puts Johnson in good company with other safeties at the NFL Scouting Combine. Only seven safeties ran the 40 in 4.51 seconds or faster and four did it in 4.47 seconds or less.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. gave Johnson a fifth- or sixth-round draft grade last week. While Johnson's time in the three-cone and shuttle drills wasn't made public, the 40 time could help Johnson's stock.

Tyler Murray, Xavier Cullens deliver strong efforts

Scouts took interest in kicker Chris Howard and punter Joe Doyle, who showed off their legs in various drills. But linebackers Tyler Murray and Xavier Cullens also tested well in the indoor workouts not viewed by media.

Cullens said he jumped 38 inches in the vertical jump, which would've been the second best at the combine among linebackers behind Vanderbilt's Anfernee Orji. Murray said after settling down by chewing some gum, he did 23 reps in the bench press (225 pounds).

What NFL teams has Johnson spoken with?

Johnson said he's talked with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears and New York Giants. But he also interviewed with more teams at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in California, as well.

Murray also said spoke with multiple teams at the NFLPA Bowl. It could be a positive sign for their futures but postseason bowls are easy gatherings for players to meet NFL personnel. It doesn't always guarantee that's who will draft someone.

At the same time? It's more a sign that whether or not Johnson gets drafted, he, Murray, and potentially more Tigers could get rookie mini-camp invites or get signed as undrafted free agents.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football pro day: Quindell Johnson shows off good speed in 40