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NFL combine: Xavier Worthy sets 40-yard dash record of 4.21 seconds

callie lawson-freeman
Contributing writer
·2 min read
552

Former Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy is the fastest man the NFL scouting combine has ever seen.

He was clocked at a lightning time of 4.21 seconds on his second attempt, besting John Ross III's all-time record from 2017 by .01 seconds. Worthy reached 24.21 mph, according to Next Gen Stats.

The historic run came after the 20-year-old opened up with a 4.25 to beat anyone else in the field, recording a 10-yard split of 1.45 seconds that was the fastest split of the weekend. It was only right that he went for it again, and his second run was initially measured at 4.22. It was updated a hundredth of a second faster when made official.

Here's how Worthy looks compared to Ross, former University of Washington wideout, when he set the record:

Ross' draft stock took a major boost after the combine, and the Cincinnati Bengals selected him ninth overall in 2017. He went on to have an abbreviated career, retiring last offseason after being hampered by multiple injuries. He recorded 62 receptions for 957 yards with 11 touchdowns over his career with the Bengals and New York Giants.

For Worthy, the attention was pouring in before he even tied the record. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive end Charles Omenihu took to social media to express awe at his first run:

The back-to-back Super Bowl champions will have the last selection in the first round of this year's draft, but they weren't the only ones to give props.

Former longtime NFL receiver DeSean Jackson ran a quick 4.35 seconds at his combine, while Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill posted a 4.29 at his Pro Day. Hill and Jackson's reactions work together to prove that all you can really say in response to a run like Worthy's is some variation of "sheesh" or "crazy."

During this past season for Texas, Worthy posted 75 receptions for 1,014 yards and five touchdowns en route to the Big 12 title and the team's first College Football Playoff appearance. He'll be a name to watch for in the first round of this year's draft, which will take place April 25.