40-yard dash: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Speed test in American football}}

The '''40 yard dash''', also simply called '''the 40''', is a [[Sprint (race)|sprint]] covering 40 [[yard]]s. It is primarily run to evaluate the [[speed]] of [[American football]] players by [[Scout (sport)|scouts]], particularly for the [[NFL Draft]] but also for [[college football|collegiate]] [[Recruiting (athletics)|recruiting]]. A player's 40 time can heavily impact his prospects in college or the pros. This was traditionally only true for the 'skill' positions such as [[quarterback]], [[running back]], [[wide receiver]], and [[defensive back]], although now a fast 40 yard dash time is considered important for almost every position.

The '''40-yard dash''' is a [[sprint (running)|sprint]] covering {{convert|40|yd|m|3}}. It is primarily run to evaluate the [[speed]] and acceleration of [[American football]] players by [[Scout (sport)|scouts]], particularly for the [[NFL draft]] but also for [[college football|collegiate]] [[Recruiting (athletics)|recruiting]]. A football player's recorded time can have a heavy impact on his prospects in college or professional football. This was traditionally only true for the skill positions such as [[running back]], [[wide receiver]], and [[defensive back]], although now a fast 40-yard dash time is considered important for almost every position. The 40-yard dash is not an official race in [[track and field athletics]], and is not an [[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]]-recognized race.

Generally, any time under 4.4 seconds is considered exceptionally fast even at the NFL level. Times between 4.4 and 4.6 seconds are good for the NFL. Times above 5 seconds are typically run only by [[lineman (football)|linemen]]; the slowest time recorded at the [[2006]] [[NFL Combine|combine]] was 6.21 seconds by [[offensive lineman]] Josh Hall.

The origin of timing football players for 40 yards comes from the average distance of a [[Punt (gridiron football)|punt]] and the time it takes to reach that distance.<ref>{{cite book | title=America's Game: The Epic Story of How Pro Football Captured a Nation | first=Michael | last=MacCambridge | date=2005 | edition=1st | publisher=Anchor Books | ___location=New York | page=29 | isbn=978-0-375-72506-7 | quote=Intent on building a fast team, [Paul Brown in the mid-1940s] began timing players in the 40-yard dash, rather than the 100, reasoning that the 40 was a more meaningful measure of true football speed: about the distance a player would cover on a punt. }}</ref> Punts average around 40 yards in distance from the [[line of scrimmage]], and the hangtime (time of flight) averages approximately 4.5 seconds; therefore, if a player can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds, he will be able to leave the line of scrimmage when a punt is kicked, and reach the point where the ball comes down just as it arrives.

==Timing method and track comparisons==

In terms of judging a person's speed, the best method of timing is through lasers which start and stop the times when passed through. A laser start (from a stationary position) is more accurate for measuring pure speed as it does not register a runner's reaction time, however, this method of timing a 40-yard dash can affect the accuracy by as much as 0.5 seconds with the manual [[stopwatch]] method.

== Origins ==

The [[National Football League]] (NFL) did not begin using partial electronic timing (i.e. started by hand, stopped electronically) at the [[NFL Scouting Combine]] until 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0345545141|title=isbn:0345545141 - Google Search|website=books.google.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1543670-how-are-40-yard-dash-times-recorded|title=How Are 40-Yard Dash Times Recorded?|first=Gary|last=Davenport|website=bleacherreport.com}}</ref> For purposes of measurement at the Combine, the run is made along the sideline from the front of the [[end zone]] to the 40-yard line, and for electronically timed 40-yard dashes, the runner is allowed to start when they wish, and a timer hand-starts the clock.

The 40 is run because it showcases acceleration ''and'' speed which are both crucial in the NFL, being that football is a game of short bursts of speed. Among his many innovations such as instituting press box coaches, playbooks, and intelligence and psychological testing, [[Paul Brown]], the legendary football coach, is credited with initially timing players at 40 yards because he believed this was the distance you had to run to cover a kickoff.

In contrast, [[track and field]] races have the runner [[reaction time|react]] to a [[Starting pistol|starting gun]], which takes approximately 0.24 second (based on [[FAT timing]]); further to this, IAAF rules state any runner with a reaction time of less than 0.1 second is subject to disqualification.

== Electronic vs. Hand Timing ==

This aspect means that comparisons with track times are essentially impossible given that a reaction time is not factored in, and the use of hand-timing in the 40-yard dash can considerably alter a runner's time: the methods are not comparable to the rigorous electronic timing used in track and field.<ref name="auto"/>

Because so much emphasis is placed on the 40, many players or programs claim to have run much faster times than they actually did. Part of this is [[hype]] from college programs wishing to promote their players by claiming they have run sensational times in practice. Another significant issue is that many colleges time players by hand, which typically records inaccurately low times. Because human [[reaction time]] is slow, this typically takes as much as 0.25 seconds off a player's time.

For example, [[Jacoby Ford]], who ran 4.28 seconds in the 2010 NFL Combine, had a collegiate best of 6.51&nbsp;s in the [[60-meter dash]] (outside the top-40 of the all-time lists).<ref name="auto">[http://www.iaaf.org/records/toplists/sprints/60-metres/indoor/men/senior 60 Metres - men - senior - indoor]. IAAF. Retrieved on May 29, 2013.</ref>

As a general rule, only 40 yard dash times recorded electronically can be considered accurate. This method is used at the [[NFL Combine]]. However, because this method usually records correct, slower times, many players in recent years have declined to be timed electronically, preferring to be timed in personal workouts where they think they will get a more favorable time by hand.

Though not a current event, the 40-yard dash was briefly contested at the [[USA Indoor Track and Field Championships]] for women in [[1927 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships|1927]], [[1928 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships|1928]], [[1929 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships|1929]], [[1930 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships|1930]], [[1931 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships|1931]], and [[1932 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships|1932]]. It was never staged as a men's event. The fastest winning time, including reaction, was 5.2 (originally recorded as 5{{frac|1|5}}) seconds, first set by [[Rosa Grosse]] and later tied by [[Mary Carew]] twice.<ref>{{cite web |title=FOUR MARKS ARE BROKEN IN GIRLS A.A.U. COMPETITION |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bridgeport-telegram-four-marks-are-b/154226934/ |publisher=The Bridgeport Telegram |access-date=29 Aug 2024 |page=16 |date=28 Mar 1927}}</ref>

== Best times ==

Many reported times are unreliable due to differences in timing methods if not intentional falsifications. The fastest time officially recorded by the [[NFL]] was 4.29 seconds by [[Deion Sanders]] in [[1989]] <ref>[http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/article.jsp?id=12233 "Ask the Falcons."] AtlantaFalcons.com, May 20, 2006.</ref>, although the NFL did not begin electronic timing until 1990. In the electronic timing era, the fastest recorded time at the NFL Combine was 4.25 seconds by cornerback [[Fabian Washington]] in 2005. <ref>[http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/lookback2005combine.htm "NFL Draft Blitz: 2005 Combine Review."]</ref> Most other times close to 4.0 are untrustworthy due to the use of hand timing, but it is often claimed that players including Sanders (4.17)<ref>Zeigler, Mark. [http://www.usoc.org/11611_32384.htm "The NFL treats 40-yard dash times as sacred."] ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'', April 20, 2005.</ref>,

[[Ted Ginn Jr.]] (4.06)<ref>Weiss, Dick. [http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/486122p-409271c.html "Ginn's gunning for title."] ''New York Daily News'', January 6, 2007.</ref>, Ryan Dotson (4.24)

[[DeAngelo Hall]] (4.15)<ref>Weiland, Keith. [http://www.houstonprofootball.com/draft/2004/prospects/halld.html "The War Room: DeAngelo Hall, CB, Virginia Tech."] HoustonProFootball.com, accessed January 10, 2007.</ref><ref>King, Kelley. [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/features/2003/si/vatech/ "SI's College Football Preview 2003: Virginia Tech."] ''Sports Illustrated'', August 11, 2003.</ref>,

[[Michael Vick]] (4.25)<ref>Robertson, Jimmy. [http://www.hokiesports.com/huddler/archive/0382000aaa.html "Hokies record blistering 40 times at annual timing day."] ''Hokie Huddler'', March 8, 2000.</ref>,

[[Bo Jackson]] (4.14)<ref>''USA Today'', February 27, 1986.</ref>, [[Don Beebe]] (4.21)[http://www.packers.com/news/stories/1999/05/27/1/],

[[Michael_Bennett_(American_football)|Michael Bennett]] (4.13)<ref>Merrill, Elizabeth. [http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/football/nfl/kansas_city_chiefs/16145170.htm?source=rss&channel=kansascity_kansas_city_chiefs "Bennett happy as a Chief."] ''Kansas City Star'', December 2, 2006.</ref>,

[[Randy Moss]] (4.25)<ref>Carter, Bob. [http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Moss_Randy.html "Moves, emotions have Moss causin' a commotion."] ''ESPN Classic'', accessed January 12, 2007.</ref>,

[[Darrell Green]] (4.15<ref>[[Darrell Green]], and various Internet forums.</ref>, 4.2<ref>O'Donnell, Chuck. [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCL/is_7_32/ai_98171251 "The stat sheet: Darrell Green."] ''Football Digest'', March 2003.</ref>),

[[Laveranues Coles]] (4.2)<ref>Worgo, Tom. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCL/is_5_33/ai_111265549 "Money in the bank."] ''Football Digest'', January 2004.</ref>,

and [[Alexander Wright (football player)|Alexander Wright]] (4.09)<ref>Whitt, Richie. [http://www.dallasobserver.com/Issues/2006-04-06/news/whitt.html "Fast Track: Former Cowboy's big dreams diverted to small schools."] ''[[Dallas Observer]]'', April 6, 2006.</ref> have approached that mark.

Although 40 yards is always run, the [[60 metres|60 meter dash]] is not a well-regulated track and field distance, the official record for which is 6.39 seconds. Tapes of sprinter [[Ben Johnson (athlete)|Ben Johnson]]'s world-record breaking 1988 [[100 meter dash]] (which was later annulled due to Johnson's steroid use), however, show that Johnson ran the 60 m in 6.37 seconds; this is considered the most quickly started race ever run.<ref>Zeigler, Mark. [http://www.usoc.org/11611_32384.htm "The NFL treats 40-yard dash times as sacred."] ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'', April 20, 2005.</ref> Johnson covered the first 40 meters in 4.53 seconds. It is often reported wrongly that Johnsons first 40 yards was timed. It was actually his first 40 meters. Which translates to an exceptionally fast 40 yard time (4.14 seconds). Little known Taylor Paul, known for his agility and athleticism, ran an unofficial 40 time of 4.23 in 1998. Some refutiate this claim, but coaches media, and onlookers who were at the 98 combine remember that legendary 40 yard dash.

==Records==

However, in [[track and field]] races, the runner must [[reaction time|react]] to the starting gun, which can take 0.10 to 0.20 seconds. For electronically timed 40 yard dashes, the runner is allowed to start when he wishes, and a timer hand-starts the clock (after a reaction time of 0.1 to 0.2 seconds). This difference would indicate that, at peak form, Johnson would have been electronically timed in 4.04 to 4.14 seconds, or hand-timed in about 4.00 seconds, making claims of hand-held times in the 4.1-4.2 range more credible.

In most settings, the 40-yard dash is conducted without [[Fully automatic time|fully automatic timing]], where lasers are used at both the beginning and end of the race.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Are 40-Yard Dash Times Recorded? |date=February 25, 2013 |work=Bleacher Report |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1543670-how-are-40-yard-dash-times-recorded }}</ref> Instead, the 40-yard dash is most often hand-timed, leading to considerable measurement error. Many (in particular older) reports of times below 4.2 or 4.3 are considered suspect, such as Baylor's [[Gerald McNeil]]'s 4.19-second 40-yard dash in the 1980s before being signed to the [[United States Football League]] (USFL),<ref>{{cite book | title=Super Agent: The One Book the NFL and NCAA Don't Want You to Read | first1=Jerry | last1=Argovitz | first2=J. David | last2=Miller | date=2013 | publisher=Sports Publishing | ___location=New York | chapter=Chapter 40: A Better Mousetrap | isbn= 978-1613210680 }}</ref> or [[Deion Sanders]]' 4.27-second 40-yard dash in 1989.<ref>{{cite news | author=Hessler, Warner | title=NFL General Managers Moan About Another Diluted Draft | url=https://www.dailypress.com/1989/04/23/nfl-general-managers-moan-about-another-diluted-draft/ | newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]] | date=April 23, 1989 | access-date=March 1, 2012 }}</ref> More recent examples include rugby union's [[Carlin Isles]] time of 4.22 at a Detroit Lions facility during a 2013 workout,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/lions-sign-rugby-player-practice-squad-article-1.1558914 | title=Detroit Lions sign rugby player Carlin Isles to practice squad | date=December 26, 2013 | ___location=New York | work=Daily News}}</ref> and Texas Tech's [[Jakeem Grant]] being hand-timed by a [[New Orleans Saints]] scout at 4.1 in 2016.<ref name="40yd">{{cite web | last1=Haislop | first1=Tadd | title=Texas Tech's Jakeem Grant clocked at 4.10 in 40-yard dash | url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-news/4698075-jakeem-grant-40-yard-dash-time-record-nfl-draft-texas-tech | website=SportingNews | date=March 11, 2016 | access-date=March 12, 2016 | archive-date=April 20, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420205305/http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-news/4698075-jakeem-grant-40-yard-dash-time-record-nfl-draft-texas-tech | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Also unofficially, [[Bo Jackson]], who was invited to the 1986 combine and declined, ran the 40 to show off for scouts at [[Auburn University|Auburn]]. Electronically, with a laser, he has said it measured 4.12, and by hand it was 4.16. "I got down there, and I took off and ran completely through. I just kept going right out the door and didn’t come back." he was quoted after.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bo Knows Speed: The real story behind football's most legendary 40-yard dash |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/bo-knows-40-yard-dashes-20411732 |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Las Vegas Raiders |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Criticisms ==

In 2017, [[Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 100 metres relay|Olympic]] sprinter [[Christian Coleman]] ran a time of 4.12 seconds on turf in response to claims that NFL players are as fast as [[Usain Bolt]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Olympic sprinter shows up John Ross|date=May 2017 |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/05/olympic-sprinter-christian-coleman-nfl-john-ross-usain-bolt-40-yard-dash-412-seconds-tennessee-video|publisher=USA Today|access-date=July 26, 2017}}</ref> In 2024, [[University of Iowa]] sprinter Kalen Walker ran a 4.15 on turf during the halftime of a [[Iowa_Hawkeyes_football|Hawkeyes football]] game.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-29 |title=This College Sprinter from Iowa Blew Away the NFL Combine 40-Yard Dash Record |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a62739965/kalen-walker-40-yard-dash/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Runner's World |language=en-US}}</ref> A year and a half after he retired from active competition, Usain Bolt ran a 4.22 in flat-soled shoes and a [[tracksuit]] at a promotional event for the Super Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia on February 2, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2019/02/02/usain-bolt-having-fun-at-super-bowl-ties-nfl-combine-40-yard-dash-record/ |title=Usain Bolt having fun at Super Bowl, 'ties' NFL Combine 40-yard dash record |last=Clark |first=Nate |publisher=[[NBC]] |date=2 February 2019 |access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref>

Some football analysts state that the 40 yard dash is poorly [[statistical correlation|correlated]] with football ability, as most players never run this distance in a game. Similarly, it is not a good indicator of 'football speed,' or how fast a player will actually seem when running while wearing a full uniform on [[grass]] and in the presence of opposing players. Some players with fast 40 times appear much slower in actual games, while other players with slow 40 times appear very quick.

===NFL Scouting Combine===

Many players have gone on to have stellar NFL careers after running a disappointing 40 time, for example:

This is a list of the official 40-yard dash results of under 4.31 seconds recorded at the NFL Scouting combine since 1999, the first year electronic timing was implemented at the NFL Scouting Combine.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2006-2007-2008-2009-2010-2011&workout=FORTY_YARD_DASH&position=QB-RB-WR-TE-S-DL-LB-CB-OL-SPEC |title=Top Performers 2006-2011 |date = July 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-02-22-40-yard-dash_N.htm |title=Officially, Van Dyke is combine's fastest player |date= March 1, 2011 | work=USA Today |first=Frank |last=Cooney}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"

*[[Jerry Rice]] reportedly ran a 4.6 or 4.7 second 40-yard dash (regarded as mediocre figures for a [[wide receiver]]), and, consequently, was drafted in the second round of the [[1985 NFL Draft]], despite a stellar college career. He went out to play 13 [[Pro Bowl]]s, win 3 [[Super Bowl]]s, and break numerous [[Jerry Rice#NFL_Records|NFL records]] (at the time of his retirement he had 28 NFL records). Said former teammate Ronnie Lott, "Jerry may been a 4.6 or a 4.7, but he was a 4.2 on Sundays." Rice was also generally noted for being able to run as fast a 40-yard dash under the weight of heavy NFL padding as he was in track gear.

! style="width:5em" | Time !! class="unsortable" style="width:15em" | Name !! style="width:10em" | Height !! style="width:7em" | Weight !! style="width:7em" | Position !! style="width:5em" | College !! style="width:5em" | Year !! class="unsortable" style="width:20em" | Draft

!{{abbr|R|Reference(s)}}

|-

| 4.21 || [[Xavier Worthy]]|| {{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}}||{{convert|165|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}}||[[Wide receiver]]||[[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]]||[[2024 NFL draft|2024]]||No. 28 overall by [[Kansas City Chiefs]]

|

|-

| 4.22 || [[John Ross (American football)|John Ross]] || {{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|190|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || [[Wide receiver]] || [[Washington Huskies football|Washington]] || [[2017 NFL draft|2017]] || No. 9 overall by [[Cincinnati Bengals]]

|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/nfl/john-ross-iii-runs-40-yard-dash-record-4-22-seconds-nfl-combine/|title=John Ross III runs 40-yard dash in record 4.22 seconds at NFL Combine|work=[[Sportsnet]]|date=March 4, 2017|access-date=March 4, 2017}}</ref>

|-

| 4.23 || [[Kalon Barnes]] || {{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|183|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || [[Cornerback]] || [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]] || [[2022 NFL draft|2022]] || No. 242 overall by [[Carolina Panthers]]

|

|-

|rowspan=2| 4.24 || [[Rondel Menendez]] || {{convert|5|ft|9|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|192|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Wide receiver || [[Eastern Kentucky Colonels football|Eastern Kentucky]] || [[1999 NFL draft|1999]] || No. 247 overall by [[Atlanta Falcons]]

|

|-

| [[Chris Johnson (running back)|Chris Johnson]] || {{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|192|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || [[Running back]] || [[East Carolina Pirates football|East Carolina]] || [[2008 NFL draft|2008]] || No. 24 overall by [[Tennessee Titans]]

|

|-

|rowspan=4| 4.26 || [[Jerome Mathis]] || {{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|184|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Wide receiver || [[Hampton Pirates football|Hampton]] || [[2005 NFL draft|2005]] || No. 114 overall by [[Houston Texans]]

|

|-

| [[Dri Archer]] || {{convert|5|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|173|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Running back || [[Kent State Golden Flashes football|Kent State]] || [[2014 NFL draft|2014]] || No. 97 overall by [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]

|

|-

| [[Tariq Woolen]] || {{convert|6|ft|4|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|205|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || [[UTSA Roadrunners football|UTSA]] || 2022 || No. 153 overall by [[Seattle Seahawks]]

|

|-

| [[D. J. Turner (cornerback)|D. J. Turner]] || {{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|178|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]] || [[2023 NFL draft|2023]] || No. 60 overall by Cincinnati Bengals

|

|-

|rowspan=3| 4.27 || [[Henry Ruggs|Henry Ruggs III]] ||{{convert|6|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|190|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Wide receiver || [[Alabama Crimson Tide|Alabama]] || 2020 || No. 12 overall by [[Las Vegas Raiders]]

|

|-

|[[Stanford Routt]] || {{convert|6|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|193|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || [[Houston Cougars football|Houston]] || 2005 || No. 38 overall by [[Oakland Raiders]]

|

|-

|[[Marquise Goodwin]] || {{convert|5|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|181|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Wide receiver || [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] || [[2013 NFL draft|2013]] || No. 78 overall by [[Buffalo Bills]]

|

|-

|rowspan=8| 4.28|| [[Champ Bailey]] || {{convert|6|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|192|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || [[Georgia Bulldogs football|Georgia]] || 1999 || No. 7 overall by [[Washington Redskins]]

|

|-

| [[Jacoby Ford]] || {{convert|5|ft|9|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|190|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Wide receiver || [[Clemson Tigers football|Clemson]] || [[2010 NFL draft|2010]] || No. 108 overall by Oakland Raiders

|

|-

| [[Jalen Myrick]] || {{convert|5|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|200|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || [[Minnesota Golden Gophers football|Minnesota]] || [[2017 NFL draft|2017]] || No. 222 overall by [[Jacksonville Jaguars]]

|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jalen-myrick?id=2558140|title=Jalen Myrick Combine Profile|work=NFL.com|access-date=March 6, 2017}}</ref>

|-

| [[J. J. Nelson]] || {{convert|5|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|156|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Wide receiver || [[UAB Blazers football|UAB]] || [[2015 NFL draft|2015]] || No. 159 overall by Arizona Cardinals

|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/nfl/status/569215838948950017|title=NFL on Twitter|work=[[Twitter]]|date=February 21, 2015|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref>

|-

| [[DeMarcus Van Dyke]] || {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|187|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami]] || [[2011 NFL draft|2011]] || No. 81 overall by Oakland Raiders

|

|-

| [[Tyquan Thornton]] || {{convert|6|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|181|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Wide receiver || Baylor || 2022 || No. 50 overall by [[New England Patriots]]

|-

| [[Nate Wiggins]] || {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|173|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || Clemson || [[2024 NFL draft|2024]] || No. 30 overall by [[Baltimore Ravens]]

|

|-

|[[Maxwell Hairston]] || {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|170|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]] || 2025

|No. 30 overall by Buffalo Bills

|-

| rowspan="4" | 4.29 || [[Fabian Washington]] || {{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|188|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]] || 2005 || No. 23 overall by Oakland Raiders

|

|-

|Zedrick Woods

|{{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}}

|{{convert|205|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}}

|[[Safety (gridiron football position)|Safety]]

|[[Ole Miss Rebels football|Mississippi]]

|[[2019 NFL draft|2019]]

|Undrafted

|<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2019&workout=FORTY_YARD_DASH |title=NFL Events: Combine Top Performers 2019|work=NFL.com |access-date = May 12, 2019}}</ref>

|-

| [[Javelin Guidry]] || {{convert|5|ft|9|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|191|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || [[Utah Utes football|Utah]] || 2020 || Undrafted

|

|-

| [[Matthew Golden]] || {{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|191|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Wide receiver || [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] || 2025 || No. 23 overall by [[Green Bay Packers]]

<!--Do not add Tyreek Hill here. The 4.29 40-yard dash was recorded at his pro day, not the official NFL combine-->

|-

| rowspan="8" | 4.30 ||[[Darrent Williams]]||{{convert|5|ft|9|in|m|2|abbr=on}}||{{convert|176|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}}|| Cornerback ||[[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State]]|| 2005 || No. 56 overall by [[Denver Broncos]]

|

|-

| [[Tye Hill]] || {{convert|5|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|185|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || Clemson || [[2006 NFL draft|2006]] || No. 15 overall by [[St. Louis Rams]]

|

|-

| [[Yamon Figurs]] || {{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|174|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Wide receiver || [[Kansas State Wildcats football|Kansas State]] || [[2007 NFL draft|2007]] || No. 74 overall by [[Baltimore Ravens]]

|

|-

| [[Darrius Heyward-Bey]] || {{convert|6|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|210|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Wide receiver || [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]] || [[2009 NFL draft|2009]] || No. 7 overall by Oakland Raiders

|<ref>{{cite web|title=Darrius Heyward-Bey - WR - Maryland - 2009 NFL Combine Results|url=http://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?f=Darrius&l=Heyward-Bey&i=8229|publisher=NFL Combine Results}}</ref>

|-

|[[Jamel Dean]] || {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|206|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] || [[2019 NFL draft|2019]] || No. 94 overall by [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]

|<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2019&workout=FORTY_YARD_DASH |title=NFL Events: Combine Top Performers 2019|work=NFL.com |access-date = May 12, 2019}}</ref>

|-

| [[Jakorian Bennett]] || {{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|188|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || Maryland || 2023 || No. 104 overall by Las Vegas Raiders

|

|-

| [[Darien Porter]] || {{convert|6|ft|3|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|195|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Cornerback || [[Iowa State Cyclones football|Iowa State]] || 2025 || No. 68 overall by Las Vegas Raiders

|

|-

| [[Dont'e Thornton Jr.]] || {{convert|6|ft|5|in|m|2|abbr=on}} || {{convert|205|lb|kg st|1|abbr=on}} || Wide receiver || [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee]] || 2025 || No. 108 overall by Las Vegas Raiders

|

|-

|}

==Average time by position==

*[[Emmitt Smith]] ran the 40 in 4.71 seconds, considered relatively slow for a [[running back]]. Despite his record-breaking college career, he was selected 17th in the [[1990 NFL Draft]] by the [[Dallas Cowboys]]. Another running back, [[Blair Thomas]], was selected much earlier with the second pick, in part because of his 4.4 second 40 yard dash. Smith went on to set the all-time rushing mark and win three [[Super Bowl]]s, while Thomas had a disappointing career.

According to a five-year NFL combine report, [[wide receivers]] and [[cornerbacks]] had the fastest average times at 4.48, followed by [[running backs]] at 4.49. The following average times were measured between 2000 and 2012 at the NFL combine for players who played at least 5 games.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.milehighreport.com/2013/2/12/3969128/some-clarification-is-in-order-average-speed-by-position | title=Some Clarification is in Order: Average Speed by Position | author=Topher Doll | publisher=MileHighReport.com | date=February 12, 2013 | access-date=November 11, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111190208/https://www.milehighreport.com/2013/2/12/3969128/some-clarification-is-in-order-average-speed-by-position | archive-date=November 11, 2018 | url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"

Of course, while there may be a [[Man bites dog (journalism)|man bites dog]] [[bias]] in such stories, there are countless examples of a slow 40 yard dash time correctly indicating that a successful college player will not be effective in the faster NFL. Also, while the 40 yard dash is the most talked about by [[fan (aficionado)|fans]], scouts also consider 10 and 20 yard dashes, as well as shuttle runs and cone drills, as measures of a players quickness.

|-

! Position

! Time

|-

| [[Wide receiver]]

| 4.48

|-

==Notes==

| [[Cornerback]]

<references/>

| 4.48

|-

| [[Running back]]

| 4.49

|-

| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|Free safety]]

| 4.53

|-

| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|Strong safety]]

| 4.55

|-

| [[Outside linebacker]]

| 4.60

|-

| [[Tight end]]

| 4.70

|-

| [[Inside linebacker]]

| 4.76

|-

| [[Fullback (American football)|Fullback]]

| 4.80

|-

| [[Defensive end]]

| 4.80

|-

| [[Quarterback]]

| 4.93

|-

| [[Defensive tackle]]

| 5.06

|-

| [[Center (gridiron football)|Center]]

| 5.30

|-

| [[Offensive tackle]]

| 5.32

|-

| [[Offensive guard]]

| 5.37

|}

[[Category:National Football League Draft]]

[[Category:American football]]

==References==

[[Category:Short distance running]]

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:40-Yard Dash}}

[[Category:NFL draft|Forty]]

[[Category:Sprint running disciplines]]

[[Category:Events in track and field]]