Fastest 40-Yard Dash Times in NFL Combine History
The NFL Combine is more than just a series of tests; it’s a showcase of athletic excellence, where the fastest and strongest prospects aim to impress scouts ahead of the NFL Draft. One of the most anticipated events is the 40-yard dash, a sprint that measures straight-line speed over a distance of 40 yards. This event has produced some awe-inspiring performances across all positions, highlighting athletes with exceptional speed. Here are the record-breaking 40-yard dash times by position that have left fans and scouts alike in awe.
Xavier Worthy Breaks NFL Combine 40-Yard Dash Record in 2024
The NFL Combine’s 40-yard dash has always been a marquee event, where milliseconds can define a prospect’s draft prospects. Until 2017, the official record was held by Chris Johnson, the East Carolina running back who dazzled scouts with a 4.24-second sprint. This exceptional performance set a high benchmark, symbolizing the pinnacle of speed in the NFL Combine’s storied history.
Then came John Ross in 2017. The Washington wide receiver, fresh off a breakout college season where he tallied 81 receptions, 1,150 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns, was already touted as one of college football’s most electrifying talents. At the Combine, Ross lived up to the hype and then some, clocking a staggering 4.22 seconds in the 40-yard dash, eclipsing Johnson’s record and setting a new gold standard.
For years, Ross’s record appeared untouchable, a testament to his phenomenal speed and a target for future generations of Combine participants. However, all records are made to be broken.
Enter Xavier Worthy in 2024. The Texas wide receiver, known for his game-breaking speed, came into the Combine on the back of an impressive junior year boasting 75 catches, 1,014 yards, and five touchdowns, following up on two equally remarkable seasons. Standing at 6-1 and weighing 160 pounds, Worthy was not just a speedster but a well-rounded receiver with the stats to prove it.
NFL History is Made
When Worthy took to the track at the 2024 NFL Combine, anticipation was high. He didn’t just meet expectations; he exceeded them, blazing through the 40-yard dash in an official time of 4.21 seconds. With that, Worthy not only etched his name into the record books but also claimed the title of the fastest player in NFL Combine history, surpassing John Ross’s mark by a razor-thin margin.
This historic performance has recalibrated the benchmarks for speed at the NFL Combine. Officially, Worthy’s record is now the time to beat, a new pinnacle of Combine speed that future participants will aim for but find daunting to surpass. It underscores not just Worthy’s individual talent but the evolving nature of athleticism in football, where speed continues to be a defining attribute for success.
It’s clear speed kills, so let’s see if Xavier Worthy has what it takes to become one of the fastest players in NFL history.
| Rank | Name | Time (seconds) | Position | College | NFL Team | Combine Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xavier Worthy | 4.21 | WR | Texas | TBD | 2024 |
| 2 | John Ross III | 4.22 | WR | Washington | Cincinnati Bengals | 2017 |
| 3 | Kalon Barnes | 4.23 | CB | Baylor | Carolina Panthers | 2022 |
| 4 | Chris Johnson | 4.24 | RB | East Carolina | Tennessee Titans | 2008 |
| 5 | Dri Archer | 4.26 | RB | Kent State | Pittsburgh Steelers | 2014 |
| 5 | Tariq Woolen | 4.26 | CB | UTSA | Seattle Seahawks | 2022 |
| 5 | DJ Turner II | 4.26 | CB | Michigan | Cincinnati Bengals | 2023 |
| 8 | Marquise Goodwin | 4.27 | WR | Texas | Buffalo Bills | 2013 |
| 8 | Henry Ruggs III | 4.27 | WR | Alabama | Las Vegas Raiders | 2020 |
| 10 | Jacoby Ford | 4.28 | WR | Clemson | Oakland Raiders | 2010 |
| 10 | J.J. Nelson | 4.28 | WR | UAB | Arizona Cardinals | 2015 |
| 10 | Jalen Myrick | 4.28 | CB | Minnesota | Jacksonville Jaguars | 2017 |
| 10 | Tyquan Thornton | 4.28 | WR | Baylor | New England Patriots | 2022 |
| 10 | Nate Wiggins | 4.28 | CB | TBD | TBD | 2024 |
| 15 | Zedrick Woods | 4.29 | S | Ole Miss | Jacksonville Jaguars (UDFA) | 2019 |
| 15 | Javelin Guidry | 4.29 | CB | Utah | New York Jets (UDFA) | 2020 |
Top 10 Fastest 40-Yard Dash Times in NFL Combine History
This compilation not only showcases the fastest athletes to participate in the Combine but also serves as a testament to how their outstanding performances have shaped their paths to the NFL.
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