The specifics of the story change, depending on who is telling it. But the general idea remains the same with each version.
In a practice during Derek Barnett's first preseason camp as a Tennessee football player in 2014, the hulking defensive end chased a running back 30 to 60 yards down the field and brought him down before he reached the end zone.
No one used a stopwatch to clock Barnett's speed on the play, but the moment impressed Volunteers coaches and foreshadowed a highlight-filled college career that they and he believe will speak for itself as NFL teams factor Barnett's recent 40-yard-dash times into their evaluations of the Nashville native.
"I think I have three great years of film playing here," Barnett said Friday after working out for scouts from all 32 NFL teams on campus.
Barnett acknowledged the 4.9-second 40 time he posted during the pro day event "wasn't the best," but he said he continues to receive positive feedback from NFL franchises as the April 27-29 draft approaches.
The draft class includes several touted defensive ends who have posted faster 40 times than Barnett's NFL combine time of 4.88 and the 4.9 he ran Friday. Still, the four most recent mock drafts published on NFL.com predict the Nashville native will be a first-round selection.
Bob Welton spent nine years as an NFL scout before joining Tennessee's staff as director of player personnel in 2013 and said Barnett's performance in position drills sets him apart from other players.
"And I guarantee if you time him during a game he runs a 4.7," Welton said. "That's just Derek Barnett."
Barnett broke Chattanooga native Reggie White's school record for most career sacks during Tennessee's win over Nebraska in December's Music City Bowl and demonstrated a consistent ability to pressure quarterbacks during his three years in orange.
He opted not to run a second 40 on Friday, because he didn't want to push a tweaked hamstring with other drills remaining. He was battling an illness during the March 3 combine.
"Hopefully that impressed some scouts," Barnett said of his combine experience. "I'm not sure. It was a big job interview, and I needed to go do that. I didn't feel very well, but some game days I might not feel good but I still have to play."
Barnett also participated in linebacker drills Friday with former teammates and fellow defensive ends Corey Vereen and LaTroy Lewis. The trio hoped to showcase their versatility to scouts from teams that run 3-4 defensive fronts, which feature one fewer down lineman than Tennessee's 4-3 system.
"I went through this training pretty good," Barnett said. "Now it's up to the teams to make a decision."
Welton said Barnett "passes the eye test."
He's been performing well in that category since arriving on campus and chasing down a running back in one of his first practices.
"At the end of the day, that's what they (scouts) are looking for," Welton said. "It's what they see with their eyes, not necessarily what they see with a clock."
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.