The 2024 NFL Combine is in full swing. After dozens of 2024 NFL Draft hopefuls spoke at the podium over the previous few days, on-field workouts begin on Thursday with linebackers and defensive linemen. Excitement over which prospect will run the fastest 40-yard dash takes center stage like an annual tradition.
Michigan cornerback D.J. Turner ran the fastest result last year (4.26). Turner ended up being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 60th overall selection. Running a lightning-fast 40 is an outstanding way to improve your pre-draft stock. With that in mind, we've identified three candidates to sit atop the 40-yard dash leaderboard this year.
JAYLEN WRIGHT, RB, TENNESSEE
Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright is an athletic specimen. A former track-and-field superstar, Wright ran the 55-meter dash in 6.29 seconds and the 100-meter dash in 10.85 seconds, the latter of which was the fastest in the country at the time. According to Bruce Feldman, Wright also has reached a top speed of 23.6 MPH on GPS during practice.
Wright previously ran a hand-timed 4.28 40. A 44-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump is also within the realm of possibility if Wright's prior results offer any indication. Wright isn't just fast and athletic. He's also productive. Wright exceeded 1,000 rushing yards this season as a versatile home-run threat in the backfield. If Wright runs the fastest 40 among all participating prospects, he'll become capable of being the first running back drafted.
XAVIER WORTHY, WR, TEXAS
Xavier Worthy can flat-out scoot. A quick accelerator with explosive vertical speed, Worthy's top-end speed was on display versus Iowa State this past season when he clocked at 22.7 MPH on a punt return, per Feldman. That was the fastest GPS-based result of any FBS player during the 2023 college football season. The Longhorn standout also ran a 10.55 100-meter dash as a sophomore at Central East High School in Fresno, California.
Worthy is also an alignment-versatile prospect who thrives inside and outside. Something between 4.26 and 4.33 is a fair projection for Worthy's 40 time in Indy. A projected second-round selection in a deep receivers class, a result within that window could catapult Worthy into the first-round conversation.
DAEQUAN HARDY, CB, PENN STATE
Daequan Hardy enjoyed a decorated campaign as Penn State's primary returner. Hardy returned 17 punts for 248 yards and two touchdowns, both of which occurred versus UMASS this past season. Hardy returned punts for scores of 56 and 68 yards, becoming the first Penn State player in history to score multiple punt return touchdowns in one game. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania departs the Nittany Lions program tied for fourth in school history in punt return touchdowns and seventh in punt return average (14.6).
A high school track start at Penn Hills, Hardy flashed top-end speed at this year's East-West Shrine Bowl. Hardy also took steps forward as a nickel defender, recording nine pass breakups and two interceptions this past season. Hardy carries the potential to light the track up in Indianapolis.
