Ray Rice proved in his three seasons at Rutgers that he knew how to be a running back. For NFL scouts Sunday, he proved he could be also be a sprinter.

The New Rochelle, N.Y., native responded to questions of his speed by clocking an unofficial 4.44 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis — which was below his target time entering the week.

Rice, who is projected to be a second- to third-round pick, could not be reached Sunday night he traveled back to New York but did call home after the workout.

"He called me right after and he was so excited," said Janet Rice, Ray's mother. "He said he ran a lot faster than any of the (scouts) thought he could run it. The whole day went well."

Before the week, Ray Rice felt anything better than 4.5 was a good time in the 40-yard dash, which was was believed to be the event scouts would look at most with him.

To prepare, Rice dropped six pounds — from 205 to 199 — and decreased his body fat to 8-percent.

"My training helped me out a lot," Rice said earlier this week. "I felt running-wise — anywhere between 200 and 199 — I'd feel great out there running. I have a little extra pop in my step."

Rice was explosive in the combines other drills as well, especially the 20-yard shuttle, which he finished tied for third among the 31 running backs at the combine. Rice ran it in 4.2 seconds. Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois was first at 4.18.

What could hurt Rice is his height. He has been listed at 5-foot-9 since he started college, which was already considered small. But this week he measured in at 5-foot-8.

"When I look at the NFL, how many small backs are carrying the load?" said Rice, who models himself after diminutive Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew. "I think that term "small back' is used in a different way. . . . Being small can be an advantage. Being small has a lot to do with the kind of heart you have. I run bigger than my size. I usually don't shy away from too much contact, which definitely at the next level you have to work on because everybody's bringing it. But I definitely run bigger than my size."

While in Indianapolis, Rice met with representatives from several teams, including the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons, and spoke with many head coaches.

He'll continue working out this week and start to prepare for Rutgers Pro Day on March 26.

Rice declared for the NFL Draft after a record-breaking three-year career at Rutgers. He gained 4,926 yards and 49 touchdowns on 910 carries. As a junior, he became only the 13th player in NCAA history to top 2,000 yards rushing in a season, highlighted by a 280-yard effort in an International Bowl win over Ball State.