Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston and Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden stole the show at the 2025 NFL Combine with their blazing-fast 40-yard dash times. With draft stock on the line, these athletes made their mark in Indianapolis.
Maxwell Hairston, Matthew Golden Claims Fastest Times at 2025 NFL Combine
Defensive back Maxwell Hairston clocked in at 4.28 seconds, securing his place as the fastest player at this year’s NFL Combine. The Kentucky cornerback not only dominated the speed category but also impressed in other drills.
His 39.5-inch vertical jump and 10’9″ broad jump mark showed his raw physical strength, making him one of the most athletic defensive backs in the draft class. Hairston had concerns about his top-end speed entering the combine, but his performance erased any doubts. Now, he’s firmly in the mix as a potential second-round pick.
Meanwhile, Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden was the quickest at his position, clocking a 4.29. This feat made him the second Longhorn in as many years to break the 4.3-second barrier, following in the footsteps of Kansas City Chiefs rookie Xavier Worthy, who set the all-time record in 2024 with a 4.21.
Golden’s performance added a lot to his rising draft stock. He entered the event as a projected late first-rounder, but his blazing speed and top-ranked 1.49-second 10-yard split could push him even higher.
His postseason heroics with Texas, including a clutch overtime touchdown in the College Football Playoff, already had scouts intrigued. Now, his speed could make him one of the most coveted receivers in the draft.
Top 10 Fastest 40-Yard Dash Times at the 2025 NFL Combine
- CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky: 4.28 seconds
- WR Matthew Golden, Texas: 4.29 seconds
- CB Darien Porter, Iowa State: 4.30 seconds
- WR Dont’e Thornton Jr., Tennessee: 4.30 seconds
- RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech: 4.32 seconds
- CB Caleb Ransaw, Tulane: 4.33 seconds
- WR Chimere Dike, Florida: 4.34 seconds
- WR Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech: 4.34 seconds
- CB Jacob Parrish, Kansas State: 4.35 seconds
- CB Zah Frazier, UTSA: 4.36 seconds
MORE 2025 NFL COMBINE RESULTS: SEE HOW YOUR FAVORITE PLAYERS PERFORMED
This year’s draft class features plenty of elite speed, especially at the cornerback and wide receiver positions. Hairston and Golden weren’t the only ones making headlines. Iowa State’s Darien Porter and Tennessee’s Dont’e Thornton Jr. both clocked in at 4.30, while Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten also cracked the top five with a 4.32.
One of the biggest surprises was Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who had boldly predicted he’d break Worthy’s record. He ended up with a 4.40, falling short of his own expectations. Despite this, his top speed of 24.17 mph was the second-highest recorded at the combine.
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