The NFL Combine wasn’t great for former Florida Gator CB Teez Tabor, who put up an alarmingly slow 40 time of 4.62. Viewed as a fringe first-round prospect prior to that performance, draft day would see Tabor fall to the No. 53 pick, seven picks after his defensive backfield teammate Quincy Wilson.

Though many wrote off the two-time All-SEC selection as a potential No. 1 CB at the next level, Tabor is using that doubt as fuel during his first NFL season.

“It adds fuel to the fire,” Tabor said during a press conference with the Lions. “It’s like when you tell someone they can’t do something then you’re basically making them try even harder to do what you’re telling them they can’t do.”

Athletes love using bulletin board material for added motivation, and Tabor won’t have to look far to find it. There’s no doubt that the former Gator was a stud in college, but his speed may be an issue when he faces the grown men in the NFL.

According to Tabor, however, the 40-yard dash has nothing to do with the game of football.

“My strength is football,” Tabor commented. “I play football. I don’t run track. I’m trying out for the NFL. Not the Olympics. So, I’m in a pretty good spot.”

Time will tell if Tabor is able to become just as good in the NFL as he was at Florida.