The Quest for Speed: Top Contenders to Dominate the 40-Yard Dash at the 2025 NFL Combine

The annual NFL Scouting Combine, a spectacle of athleticism and potential, is once again upon us. Hundreds of former college football players will descend upon Indianapolis, eager to showcase their skills and impress the scouts, general managers, and coaches who hold the keys to their professional futures. This multi-day event offers a crucial platform for these young athletes, providing concrete data points and invaluable insights that can significantly impact their draft stock. While the combine features a variety of drills tailored to specific positions, one event reigns supreme in terms of popularity and overall significance: the 40-yard dash.

The 40-yard dash is a test of pure speed, a raw display of acceleration and top-end velocity. It’s a simple concept – sprint 40 yards as fast as humanly possible – but its implications are far-reaching. A blazing 40 time can elevate a player’s profile, regardless of position, while a disappointing performance can raise red flags and cause a slide down the draft board. Last year, Xavier Worthy etched his name into combine lore by shattering the previous record with an astonishing 4.21-second run. This electrifying performance undoubtedly contributed to his first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

This year’s combine promises to be no less exciting, with a deep pool of speedsters vying for the title of fastest man in Indianapolis. Several players, particularly at the wide receiver position, have already generated considerable buzz due to their reported times and impressive track records. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top contenders poised to leave their mark on the 40-yard dash:

The Wide Receiver Wonders:

• Isaiah Bond (Texas): Bond’s journey has been intriguing, transferring from Alabama to Texas and experiencing a season of mixed results. While his reception numbers decreased, he achieved career highs in yards per reception (15.9) and total touchdowns (six). What truly sets Bond apart is his stated ambition to break Worthy’s combine record. He’s reportedly been clocked at 4.28 seconds, a time that would make him an instant sensation. The pressure will be on to replicate that speed under the bright lights of the combine.

• Ladd McConkey (Georgia): McConkey emerged as the Bulldogs’ leading receiver, showcasing his talent after stepping into a more prominent role. His strong performance at the Senior Bowl further solidified his potential. However, McConkey’s athletic background extends beyond the football field. He boasts an impressive track record from his high school days, suggesting that he possesses the raw speed necessary to excel in the 40-yard dash. Reportedly timed in the high 4.2s, a 4.28 at the combine seems within his reach.

• Anthony Johnson (Purdue): Johnson faces a unique challenge as one of the smallest wide receivers at the combine, standing at just 5-foot-10 and weighing under 160 lbs. However, he compensates for his lack of size with exceptional quick-twitch acceleration and impressive deep speed. With dedicated preparation, Johnson could surprise many by dipping into the 4.2s, proving that speed and agility can overcome physical limitations.

• Luther Burden III (Missouri): Burden is known for his exceptional playmaking ability and elusiveness after the catch. Although the article does not mention previous times, his impressive athleticism makes him a player to watch. Should he clock a time in the low 4.3s or even high 4.2s, he could see a considerable jump in his draft stock.

• Tre Harris (Ole Miss): Harris may be drawing more attention as an early-round wide receiver prospect, but his teammate, Watkins, could steal the show with a blazing 40-yard dash. Harris has the size, speed, and route-running ability to succeed in the NFL. While the article doesn’t provide details on his 40-yard dash time, his overall athleticism suggests he’ll be one of the more impressive wide receivers at the combine.

The Running Back Rush:

• Cody Schrader (Missouri): Schrader dominated the SEC in rushing. He’s also going to be one of the fastest. He’s been clocked between 22 and 23 mph on player tracking and ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash in high school. Years later, he’s likely only become faster. Schrader could solidify his position as a top running back prospect with a stellar performance.

• Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech): Tuten was a productive running back for the Hokies, but he’s projected as a later-round pick due to the exceptional depth at the running back position in this draft class. His speed could be the key to improving his draft stock. Having been clocked at 4.32 seconds in the 40-yard dash last offseason, he’ll aim to improve upon that time at the combine and demonstrate his explosiveness to NFL scouts.

Defensive Dynamos:

• Tyler Nubin (Minnesota): Nubin is expected to be one of the faster safeties at the combine. Nubin will likely be a middle-round pick, but he’s been clocked at 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He could realistically shave a couple hundredths off of that given time to prepare for the event at the combine and be one of the fastest defensive backs in Indianapolis. A standout performance in the 40-yard dash could elevate him into early-round consideration.

• Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Missouri): Rakestraw should be one of the faster cornerbacks in Indianapolis. He was clocked at 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash last year and should only get faster with time to prepare. Rakestraw’s blazing speed could solidify his position as a top cornerback prospect.

The Unknowns with Upside:

Several other players participating in the combine possess the potential to surprise and deliver exceptional 40-yard dash times. These athletes may not have the same level of hype as the aforementioned contenders, but their raw talent and dedication to training could lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Keep an eye on prospects like:

• KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Auburn): The Penn State transfer was a dangerous deep threat. Lambert-Smith averaged a career-high 19.6 yards per reception and scored eight touchdowns. He ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at Penn State two years ago and could easily go faster than that in Indianapolis.

• Jaylen Watkins (Mississippi): Watkins led the team and SEC in receiving touchdowns and averaged a career-best 18.5 yards per reception. He was clocked at 4.38 seconds last offseason and should only be faster.

• Malaki Starks (Georgia): He ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the high school level and could realistically hit the low 4.3s at the combine. Starks has the potential to make a significant leap in his draft stock with a strong 40-yard dash performance.

• Andrew Mukuba (Texas): The Texas standout will already be a middle-round pick in the draft but has been clocked at 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He could realistically shave a couple hundredths off of that given time to prepare for the event at the combine and be one of the fastest defensive backs in Indianapolis.

• Tyler Morrison (Notre Dame): Hell likely be one of the faster cornerbacks in Indianapolis. He was clocked at 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash last year and should only get faster with time to prepare.

The NFL Combine is more than just a series of drills; it’s a high-stakes audition where dreams are realized and futures are shaped. The 40-yard dash, in particular, captures the imagination and underscores the importance of speed in the modern NFL. Fans eager to witness the spectacle can tune into the NFL Network or stream the event via NFL+ or Fubo. Get ready to witness the quest for speed unfold, as these athletes push their limits in pursuit of their NFL dreams.