WATCH: George Pickens runs impressive 40-yard dash time

Former Georgia Bulldogs receiver George Pickens turned some heads with his 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine Thursday. Pickens ran an impressive 4.4 flat, giving teams in need of a speedy pass catcher reason to consider him in the upcoming draft.

6'3" and 200 lbs and @GeorgiaFootball WR George Pickens just ran a 4.4u flat.

📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/ru3DWKg5Xw

— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2022

Pickens missed most of the regular season for Georgia in 2021 after suffering a knee injury during spring practice. He made his debut in the season finale against Georgia Tech, catching one pass for five years. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound receiver also appeared in the national championship game where he brought in one catch for 52 yards.

An Alabama native, Pickens came to Georgia in 2019 as a five-star recruit and the No. 5 receiver in the class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. He chose the Bulldogs over offers from Alabama, Michigan, Oregon and many others. The freshman wasted no time making his presence known, finishing as the leading receiver that season with 49 catches for 727 yards and eight touchdowns.

Pickens continued his success the following year as a sophomore to finish with 513 yards receiving and six touchdowns in just eight games. He appeared to be primed for another big season in 2021 before the knee injury derailed those plans. But as George Pickens showed with his 40-yard dash time Thursday, he still has plenty to offer an NFL team willing to take a chance on him.

Pickens currently ranks as the No. 17 overall receiver in the draft according to ESPN’s big board, but has a chance to move up thanks to his performance at the combine.

Thursday marked the first day of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, with receivers, quarterbacks and tight ends going through drills. Running backs and offensive lineman will go on Friday and the combine will conclude Sunday with placekickers and defensive backs. Linebackers and defensive lineman will participate on Saturday.