The NFL combine provides players with an opportunity to enhance their draft prospects by participating in a variety of drills that assess physical attributes.
One of the most captivating drills is the 40-yard dash, which evaluates players’ speed, a highly coveted and innate quality sought after by both NFL coaches and scouts.
REQUIRED READING: Nine NFL draft sleepers who could turn heads at 2024 scouting combine
Xavier Worthy, a former Texas receiver, broke the record for the 40-yard dash on Saturday, surpassing John Ross III’s previous record of 4.22 set in 2017.
He was among over 300 prospects invited by the NFL to showcase their skills at the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, each aiming to impress potential teams as they transition to the professional level.
On Friday, Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins demonstrated his speed by running a sub-4.3 time in the 40-yard dash, solidifying his position as one of the fastest players at this year’s event. This impressive speed is expected to boost Wiggins’ draft stock. How does it compare historically?
Here are the fastest 40-yard dash times recorded at the NFL combine:
REQUIRED READING: Key information, how to watch 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in February and March
Who has the fastest 40 time at the NFL combine?
The fastest-ever recorded 40-yard dash time was achieved by Worthy in 2024, with an official time of 4.21 seconds, setting a new record at the combine and narrowly surpassing Ross’ 2017 mark by one-hundredth of a second.
Ross, the previous record holder, had a brief career due to multiple injuries that led to his retirement in the 2023 offseason. He concluded his career with 62 receptions for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns while playing for the Bengals and New York Giants.
Fastest 40-yard dash times at NFL combine
Here are the fastest 40-yard dash times in NFL combine history, according to NFL.com:
- 1. WR Xavier Worthy: 4.21 seconds (2024)
- 2. WR John Ross III: 4.22 seconds (2017)
- 3. CB Kalon Barnes: 4.23 seconds (2022)
- 4. RB Chris Johnson: 4.24 seconds (2008)
- T-5. RB Dri Archer: 4.26 seconds (2014)
- T-5. CB Tariq Woolen: 4.26 seconds (2022)
- T-5. CB DJ Turner II: 4.26 seconds (2023)
- T-8. WR Marquise Goodwin 4.27 seconds (2010)
- T-8. WR Henry Ruggs III: 4.27 seconds (2020)
- T-10. WR Jacoby Ford: 4.28 seconds (2010)
- T-10. WR J.J. Nelson: 4.28 seconds (2015)
- T-10. CB Jalen Myrick: 4.28 seconds (2017)
- T-10. WR Tyquan Thornton: 4.28 seconds (2022)
- T-10. CB Nate Wiggins: 4.28 (2024)
- T-15. S Zedrick Woods: 4.29 (2019)
- T-15. CB Javelin Guidry: 4.29 (2020)
REQUIRED READING: 2024 NFL scouting combine invite list revealed for draft prospect event in Indianapolis
Fastest 40-yard dash by a quarterback at NFL combine
The fastest 40-yard dash by a quarterback at the NFL combine was achieved by Michael Vick in 2001, when he clocked a 4.33-second time. This record was later equaled by Robert Griffin III in 2012.
Here are the top five fastest quarterback 40-yard dashes at the NFL combine:
- 1. Reggie McNeal: 4.35 (2006)
- 2. Robert Griffin III: 4.41 (2012)
- 3. Anthony Richardson: 4.43 (2023)
- 4. Marcus Vick: 4.47 (2006)
- T-5. Max Duggan: 4.52 (2023)
- T-5. Desmond Ridder: 4.52 (2022)
- T-5. Marcus Mariota: 4.52 (2015)
- T-5. Tyrod Taylor: 4.52 (2011)