The NFL Combine saw athletes put their mettle to the test in front of scouts, coaches, and general managers from all 32 teams. The four days of intense evaluations have been exciting, to say the least. However, the hullabaloo has ended—or so the world thought.
This year’s NFL Combine saw one of the most historic 40-yard dashes. The ever-so-iconic 40-yard dash is the make-or-break point for a player’s draft stock.
At the 2024 NFL Combine, the world saw history being made as Kansas City Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy went on to make a 4.21-second run. While the 4.21 remains untouched, something just as iconic happened.
NFL Combine Record Remains Untouched, but 22 New Names To Watch Out for This 2025 Season
Xavier Worthy might have to look over his shoulder, as 22 players have managed to run sub-4.40 this year. This marks the third-highest total in NFL Combine history. So, who are the players who create history?
The name that stands right on top of the charts is Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston, with a 4.28-second run. This comes as no surprise, considering that Hairston is a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter. Right behind him, Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden clocked in at 4.29 seconds.
The incoming Draft class has the need for speed 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bjAb8wUGtR
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2025
With a 0.01-second gap, Iowa State’s Darien Porter joins the 22 with a 4.30-second run. However, Porter is not the only one with 4:30 seconds. He is joined by Tennessee’s Dont’e Thornton Jr., Virginia Tech’s BhayShul Tuten, who clocked 4.32 seconds, and Tulane’s Caleb Ransaw, who clocked 4.33 seconds.
The list continues as Florida wide receiver Chimere Dike and Virginia Tech wide receiver Jaylin Lane both hit 4.34. Kansas State’s Jacob Parrish, who has a total of 137 career tackles already, follows them with a time of 4.35 seconds. UTSA’s Zah Frazier and Georgia’s Arian Smith both follow Parrish with 4.36.
Meanwhile, Maryland’s Tai Felton, Auburn’s KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and Ole Miss’ Jordan Watkins all hit 4.37. Speedy defensive backs like Marques Sigle (Kansas State, 4.37) and Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina, 4.38) also join the coveted list.
Rounding out the sub-4.40 club were Texas’ Jaydon Blue (RB, 4.38), Texas’ Jahdae Barron (DB, 4.39), Rutgers’ Robert Longerbeam (DB, 4.39), SMU’s Brashard Smith (RB, 4.39), Texas’ Isaiah Bond (WR, 4.39), and Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel (WR, 4.39). Now, that is a lot of names going into the 2025 NFL Draft.
KEEP READING: Ranking the Top 10 Fastest Running Back 40-Yard Dash Times at the 2025 NFL Combine
Although none of them came close to Worthy’s 4.21-second record, they have managed to come close to some of the fastest NFL Combine 40-yard dashes in history. John Ross III’s 4.22 in 2017 and Kalon Barnes’ 4.23 in 2022 still stand untouched.
However, this year’s roster is simply showing the world that athletes are getting faster and better.
Above all, with this kind of speed hitting the league. The defenders better start working on their angles because it’s bound to be a season to remember.
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