The most coveted and treasured NFL Scouting Combine record fell Saturday.
On the very last run of the day, Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy took a shot at improving the ridiculously fast time of 4.25 seconds that he did on his first 40-yard dash attempt. Not only did he beat his first run, Worthy’s 4.21 on the second try now stands as the fastest any player has ever finished the 40-yard dash since the NFL began officially recording times.
While it was easily the most climactic moment of the 2024 combine, it wasn’t the only impressive showing Saturday.
With quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers performing for NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers, these eight players stood out most:
Texas WR Xavier Worthy
OFFICIAL: 4.21
XAVIER WORTHY HOLDS THE NEW 40-YARD DASH RECORD pic.twitter.com/IrXf3WyemB
— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
What else needs to be said? Worthy stood out in a major way when he etched his name in the history books.
Louisville RB Isaac Guerendo
Issac Guerendo ran the fastest forty yard dash (4.33 seconds) of any 220+ pound running back since 2003, and 5th-fastest among all RBs.
He also ranked in the top 5 of vertical jump (41.5", T-2nd) and broad jump (10'9", T-4th) among 220+ pound RBs over the last two decades.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 2, 2024
Guerendo, a former track star, was expected to do well in Indianapolis, but his performance Saturday was one for the history books. His 4.33 40, 41.5-inch vertical, and 129-inch broad jump were all among the best marks ever for a running back his size (6’0, 221 pounds).
Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
only 2 WRs at the combine since 2015 to:
…run 4.35 or less in the 40
…measure at least 6’2” tall
…at a weight of at least 205DK Metcalf
Adonai Mitchellpic.twitter.com/gL9Z6xJMb1— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 2, 2024
Mitchell’s 4.34 was the fastest 40 of the day for the first group receivers until his Texas teammate came along. His 136-inch broad jump wasn’t topped, though. Doing all of that at 6’2, 205 pounds will ensure that Mitchell doesn’t have to wait too long in April to hear his name called.
South Carolina WR Xavier Legette
4.39u on the second run for @GamecockFB WR Xavier Legette
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ZPayO5RaHm— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
Legette is not a small wide receiver by any stretch. He’s a solidly built 221 pounds and showed off his strength and physicality on Saturdays, but at the combine he showed the speed and explosiveness too with a 40-inch vertical and 4.39 40.
Oregon QB Bo Nix
The QBs are putting on a show with the deep balls.
A beauty from @BoNix10
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/tuTV2cB4mc— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
With Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels all sitting out, it was Nix and J.J. McCarthy who had a chance to shine and prove they belong in the first round. Both took advantage, but especially Nix, who was dialed in and didn’t miss many throws.
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
.@jjmccarthy09 airing it out
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1B6NSNT3N4— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
McCarthy didn’t have to carry Michigan on his back en route to their national championship victory earlier this year. In a November win against Penn State, he was only asked to throw the ball eight times. But McCarthy took the chance Saturday to show it wasn’t for a lack of arm talent.
Tennessee QB Joe Milton II
Oh my, Joe Milton III. 👀
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ws6yi2y3dC— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
There are plenty of questions about Milton’s accuracy, timing, and touch which make him well outside the top five quarterback prospects of the draft. But throwing deep balls in shorts was the perfect chance for the Vols quarterback to show off his cannon and it earned a lot of oos and ahs. If that’s not standing out, what is?
LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.
.@LSUfootball WR Brian Thomas Jr. was rolling with a 4.34u
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Af0zYsjvzz— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
Like Mitchell, the 40-yard dash time, which officially came in at 4.33, is made more impressive by the fact that he’s 6’3, 209 pounds. His 38.5-inch vertical jump and 126-inch broad jump weren’t too shabby either.
