Chiefs show pre-draft interest in blazing fast Maryland linebacker

On the eve of the 2025 NFL Draft, further news of pre-draft interests for the Kansas City Chiefs are making themselves known. The latest involves potentially the fastest linebacker in the entire draft class—Maryland linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II—who turned heads of NFL scouts with blistering results in his spring workouts.

Hyppolite made believers out of those in attendance at Maryland’s Pro Day by clocking a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, which would have gone down as the single fastest time among this year’s linebackers at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

The top time officially clocked at the same position while at the Combine belongs to UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano.

A linebacker who ran a 4.42-second time in the 40-yard dash is definitely worthy of a closer look.

At 6 feet tall and weighing 236 pounds, Hypollite is light for the position, but his speed gives him an edge. Additionally, he recorded a 6.96-second three-cone drill, highlighting his agility and quickness.

Hyppolite has been proactive in the pre-draft process, with 10 official visits with NFL teams including the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs. He also held virtual meetings with the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills.

Hypollite had great things to say in an interview with The Draft Network concerning his visit to Kansas City. “I also visited the Kansas City Chiefs. That was another great visit. They have a great culture in a great city. There’s a lot of smart people in that building. You can see why they’ve won so many Super Bowls.”

During his five seasons at Maryland, Hyppolite appeared in 56 games, starting 47 of them, and set a career high with 6.5 tackles for loss this last season. He also served as the primary communicator and leader in the second level of the Terrapins’ defense, wearing the green dot as a captain and coach on the field.

While his size will preclude him from getting drafted in any early round, he’s a potential late-round flyer for teams looking to add an edge on special teams with such speed at the position.