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40-yard dash

Updated: Wikipedia source

40-yard dash

The 40-yard dash is a sprint covering 40 yards (36.576 m). It is primarily run to evaluate the speed and acceleration of American football players by scouts, particularly for the NFL draft but also for collegiate 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 a World Athletics-recognized race. The origin of timing football players for 40 yards comes from the average distance of a punt and the time it takes to reach that distance. 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.

Tables

· Records › NFL Scouting Combine
Xavier Worthy
Xavier Worthy
Time
4.21
Name
Xavier Worthy
Height
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight
165 lb (74.8 kg; 11.8 st)
Position
Wide receiver
College
Texas
Year
2024
Draft
No. 28 overall by Kansas City Chiefs
John Ross
John Ross
Time
4.22
Name
John Ross
Height
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight
190 lb (86.2 kg; 13.6 st)
Position
Wide receiver
College
Washington
Year
2017
Draft
No. 9 overall by Cincinnati Bengals
Kalon Barnes
Kalon Barnes
Time
4.23
Name
Kalon Barnes
Height
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight
183 lb (83.0 kg; 13.1 st)
Position
Cornerback
College
Baylor
Year
2022
Draft
No. 242 overall by Carolina Panthers
Rondel Menendez
Rondel Menendez
Time
4.24
Name
Rondel Menendez
Height
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight
192 lb (87.1 kg; 13.7 st)
Position
Wide receiver
College
Eastern Kentucky
Year
1999
Draft
No. 247 overall by Atlanta Falcons
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Time
Chris Johnson
Name
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Height
192 lb (87.1 kg; 13.7 st)
Weight
Running back
Position
East Carolina
College
2008
Year
No. 24 overall by Tennessee Titans
Jerome Mathis
Jerome Mathis
Time
4.26
Name
Jerome Mathis
Height
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight
184 lb (83.5 kg; 13.1 st)
Position
Wide receiver
College
Hampton
Year
2005
Draft
No. 114 overall by Houston Texans
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Time
Dri Archer
Name
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Height
173 lb (78.5 kg; 12.4 st)
Weight
Running back
Position
Kent State
College
2014
Year
No. 97 overall by Pittsburgh Steelers
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Time
Tariq Woolen
Name
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Height
205 lb (93.0 kg; 14.6 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
UTSA
College
2022
Year
No. 153 overall by Seattle Seahawks
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Time
D. J. Turner
Name
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Height
178 lb (80.7 kg; 12.7 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
Michigan
College
2023
Year
No. 60 overall by Cincinnati Bengals
Henry Ruggs III
Henry Ruggs III
Time
4.27
Name
Henry Ruggs III
Height
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight
190 lb (86.2 kg; 13.6 st)
Position
Wide receiver
College
Alabama
Year
2020
Draft
No. 12 overall by Las Vegas Raiders
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Time
Stanford Routt
Name
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Height
193 lb (87.5 kg; 13.8 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
Houston
College
2005
Year
No. 38 overall by Oakland Raiders
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Time
Marquise Goodwin
Name
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Height
181 lb (82.1 kg; 12.9 st)
Weight
Wide receiver
Position
Texas
College
2013
Year
No. 78 overall by Buffalo Bills
Champ Bailey
Champ Bailey
Time
4.28
Name
Champ Bailey
Height
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight
192 lb (87.1 kg; 13.7 st)
Position
Cornerback
College
Georgia
Year
1999
Draft
No. 7 overall by Washington Redskins
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Time
Jacoby Ford
Name
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Height
190 lb (86.2 kg; 13.6 st)
Weight
Wide receiver
Position
Clemson
College
2010
Year
No. 108 overall by Oakland Raiders
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Time
Jalen Myrick
Name
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Height
200 lb (90.7 kg; 14.3 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
Minnesota
College
2017
Year
No. 222 overall by Jacksonville Jaguars
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Time
J. J. Nelson
Name
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Height
156 lb (70.8 kg; 11.1 st)
Weight
Wide receiver
Position
UAB
College
2015
Year
No. 159 overall by Arizona Cardinals
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Time
DeMarcus Van Dyke
Name
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Height
187 lb (84.8 kg; 13.4 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
Miami
College
2011
Year
No. 81 overall by Oakland Raiders
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Time
Tyquan Thornton
Name
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Height
181 lb (82.1 kg; 12.9 st)
Weight
Wide receiver
Position
Baylor
College
2022
Year
No. 50 overall by New England Patriots
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Time
Nate Wiggins
Name
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Height
173 lb (78.5 kg; 12.4 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
Clemson
College
2024
Year
No. 30 overall by Baltimore Ravens
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Time
Maxwell Hairston
Name
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Height
170 lb (77.1 kg; 12.1 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
Kentucky
College
2025
Year
No. 30 overall by Buffalo Bills
Fabian Washington
Fabian Washington
Time
4.29
Name
Fabian Washington
Height
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight
188 lb (85.3 kg; 13.4 st)
Position
Cornerback
College
Nebraska
Year
2005
Draft
No. 23 overall by Oakland Raiders
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Time
Zedrick Woods
Name
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Height
205 lb (93.0 kg; 14.6 st)
Weight
Safety
Position
Mississippi
College
2019
Year
Undrafted
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Time
Javelin Guidry
Name
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Height
191 lb (86.6 kg; 13.6 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
Utah
College
2020
Year
Undrafted
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Time
Matthew Golden
Name
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Height
191 lb (86.6 kg; 13.6 st)
Weight
Wide receiver
Position
Texas
College
2025
Year
No. 23 overall by Green Bay Packers
Darrent Williams
Darrent Williams
Time
4.30
Name
Darrent Williams
Height
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight
176 lb (79.8 kg; 12.6 st)
Position
Cornerback
College
Oklahoma State
Year
2005
Draft
No. 56 overall by Denver Broncos
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Time
Tye Hill
Name
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Height
185 lb (83.9 kg; 13.2 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
Clemson
College
2006
Year
No. 15 overall by St. Louis Rams
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Time
Yamon Figurs
Name
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Height
174 lb (78.9 kg; 12.4 st)
Weight
Wide receiver
Position
Kansas State
College
2007
Year
No. 74 overall by Baltimore Ravens
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Time
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Name
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Height
210 lb (95.3 kg; 15.0 st)
Weight
Wide receiver
Position
Maryland
College
2009
Year
No. 7 overall by Oakland Raiders
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Time
Jamel Dean
Name
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Height
206 lb (93.4 kg; 14.7 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
Auburn
College
2019
Year
No. 94 overall by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Time
Jakorian Bennett
Name
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Height
188 lb (85.3 kg; 13.4 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
Maryland
College
2023
Year
No. 104 overall by Las Vegas Raiders
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Time
Darien Porter
Name
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Height
195 lb (88.5 kg; 13.9 st)
Weight
Cornerback
Position
Iowa State
College
2025
Year
No. 68 overall by Las Vegas Raiders
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Time
Dont'e Thornton Jr.
Name
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Height
205 lb (93.0 kg; 14.6 st)
Weight
Wide receiver
Position
Tennessee
College
2025
Year
No. 108 overall by Las Vegas Raiders
Time
Name
Height
Weight
Position
College
Year
Draft
R
4.21
Xavier Worthy
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
165 lb (74.8 kg; 11.8 st)
Wide receiver
Texas
2024
No. 28 overall by Kansas City Chiefs
4.22
John Ross
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
190 lb (86.2 kg; 13.6 st)
Wide receiver
Washington
2017
No. 9 overall by Cincinnati Bengals
4.23
Kalon Barnes
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
183 lb (83.0 kg; 13.1 st)
Cornerback
Baylor
2022
No. 242 overall by Carolina Panthers
4.24
Rondel Menendez
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
192 lb (87.1 kg; 13.7 st)
Wide receiver
Eastern Kentucky
1999
No. 247 overall by Atlanta Falcons
Chris Johnson
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
192 lb (87.1 kg; 13.7 st)
Running back
East Carolina
2008
No. 24 overall by Tennessee Titans
4.26
Jerome Mathis
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
184 lb (83.5 kg; 13.1 st)
Wide receiver
Hampton
2005
No. 114 overall by Houston Texans
Dri Archer
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
173 lb (78.5 kg; 12.4 st)
Running back
Kent State
2014
No. 97 overall by Pittsburgh Steelers
Tariq Woolen
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
205 lb (93.0 kg; 14.6 st)
Cornerback
UTSA
2022
No. 153 overall by Seattle Seahawks
D. J. Turner
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
178 lb (80.7 kg; 12.7 st)
Cornerback
Michigan
2023
No. 60 overall by Cincinnati Bengals
4.27
Henry Ruggs III
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
190 lb (86.2 kg; 13.6 st)
Wide receiver
Alabama
2020
No. 12 overall by Las Vegas Raiders
Stanford Routt
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
193 lb (87.5 kg; 13.8 st)
Cornerback
Houston
2005
No. 38 overall by Oakland Raiders
Marquise Goodwin
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
181 lb (82.1 kg; 12.9 st)
Wide receiver
Texas
2013
No. 78 overall by Buffalo Bills
4.28
Champ Bailey
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
192 lb (87.1 kg; 13.7 st)
Cornerback
Georgia
1999
No. 7 overall by Washington Redskins
Jacoby Ford
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
190 lb (86.2 kg; 13.6 st)
Wide receiver
Clemson
2010
No. 108 overall by Oakland Raiders
Jalen Myrick
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
200 lb (90.7 kg; 14.3 st)
Cornerback
Minnesota
2017
No. 222 overall by Jacksonville Jaguars
J. J. Nelson
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
156 lb (70.8 kg; 11.1 st)
Wide receiver
UAB
2015
No. 159 overall by Arizona Cardinals
DeMarcus Van Dyke
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
187 lb (84.8 kg; 13.4 st)
Cornerback
Miami
2011
No. 81 overall by Oakland Raiders
Tyquan Thornton
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
181 lb (82.1 kg; 12.9 st)
Wide receiver
Baylor
2022
No. 50 overall by New England Patriots
Nate Wiggins
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
173 lb (78.5 kg; 12.4 st)
Cornerback
Clemson
2024
No. 30 overall by Baltimore Ravens
Maxwell Hairston
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
170 lb (77.1 kg; 12.1 st)
Cornerback
Kentucky
2025
No. 30 overall by Buffalo Bills
4.29
Fabian Washington
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
188 lb (85.3 kg; 13.4 st)
Cornerback
Nebraska
2005
No. 23 overall by Oakland Raiders
Zedrick Woods
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
205 lb (93.0 kg; 14.6 st)
Safety
Mississippi
2019
Undrafted
Javelin Guidry
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
191 lb (86.6 kg; 13.6 st)
Cornerback
Utah
2020
Undrafted
Matthew Golden
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
191 lb (86.6 kg; 13.6 st)
Wide receiver
Texas
2025
No. 23 overall by Green Bay Packers
4.30
Darrent Williams
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
176 lb (79.8 kg; 12.6 st)
Cornerback
Oklahoma State
2005
No. 56 overall by Denver Broncos
Tye Hill
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
185 lb (83.9 kg; 13.2 st)
Cornerback
Clemson
2006
No. 15 overall by St. Louis Rams
Yamon Figurs
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
174 lb (78.9 kg; 12.4 st)
Wide receiver
Kansas State
2007
No. 74 overall by Baltimore Ravens
Darrius Heyward-Bey
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
210 lb (95.3 kg; 15.0 st)
Wide receiver
Maryland
2009
No. 7 overall by Oakland Raiders
Jamel Dean
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
206 lb (93.4 kg; 14.7 st)
Cornerback
Auburn
2019
No. 94 overall by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jakorian Bennett
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
188 lb (85.3 kg; 13.4 st)
Cornerback
Maryland
2023
No. 104 overall by Las Vegas Raiders
Darien Porter
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
195 lb (88.5 kg; 13.9 st)
Cornerback
Iowa State
2025
No. 68 overall by Las Vegas Raiders
Dont'e Thornton Jr.
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
205 lb (93.0 kg; 14.6 st)
Wide receiver
Tennessee
2025
No. 108 overall by Las Vegas Raiders
· Average time by position
Wide receiver
Wide receiver
Position
Wide receiver
Time
4.48
Cornerback
Cornerback
Position
Cornerback
Time
4.48
Running back
Running back
Position
Running back
Time
4.49
Free safety
Free safety
Position
Free safety
Time
4.53
Strong safety
Strong safety
Position
Strong safety
Time
4.55
Outside linebacker
Outside linebacker
Position
Outside linebacker
Time
4.60
Tight end
Tight end
Position
Tight end
Time
4.70
Inside linebacker
Inside linebacker
Position
Inside linebacker
Time
4.76
Fullback
Fullback
Position
Fullback
Time
4.80
Defensive end
Defensive end
Position
Defensive end
Time
4.80
Quarterback
Quarterback
Position
Quarterback
Time
4.93
Defensive tackle
Defensive tackle
Position
Defensive tackle
Time
5.06
Center
Center
Position
Center
Time
5.30
Offensive tackle
Offensive tackle
Position
Offensive tackle
Time
5.32
Offensive guard
Offensive guard
Position
Offensive guard
Time
5.37
Position
Time
Wide receiver
4.48
Cornerback
4.48
Running back
4.49
Free safety
4.53
Strong safety
4.55
Outside linebacker
4.60
Tight end
4.70
Inside linebacker
4.76
Fullback
4.80
Defensive end
4.80
Quarterback
4.93
Defensive tackle
5.06
Center
5.30
Offensive tackle
5.32
Offensive guard
5.37

References

  1. America's Game: The Epic Story of How Pro Football Captured a Nation
  2. books.google.com
    https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0345545141
  3. Bleacher Report
    https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1543670-how-are-40-yard-dash-times-recorded
  4. 60 Metres - men - senior - indoor. IAAF. Retrieved on May 29, 2013.
    http://www.iaaf.org/records/toplists/sprints/60-metres/indoor/men/senior
  5. "FOUR MARKS ARE BROKEN IN GIRLS A.A.U. COMPETITION"
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bridgeport-telegram-four-marks-are-b/154226934/
  6. Bleacher Report
    https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1543670-how-are-40-yard-dash-times-recorded
  7. Super Agent: The One Book the NFL and NCAA Don't Want You to Read
  8. Daily Press
    https://www.dailypress.com/1989/04/23/nfl-general-managers-moan-about-another-diluted-draft/
  9. Daily News
    http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/lions-sign-rugby-player-practice-squad-article-1.1558914
  10. SportingNews
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160420205305/http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-news/4698075-jakeem-grant-40-yard-dash-time-record-nfl-draft-texas-tech
  11. Las Vegas Raiders
    https://www.raiders.com/news/bo-knows-40-yard-dashes-20411732
  12. "Olympic sprinter shows up John Ross"
    http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/05/olympic-sprinter-christian-coleman-nfl-john-ross-usain-bolt-40-yard-dash-412-seconds-tennessee-video
  13. Runner's World
    https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a62739965/kalen-walker-40-yard-dash/
  14. "Usain Bolt having fun at Super Bowl, 'ties' NFL Combine 40-yard dash record"
    https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2019/02/02/usain-bolt-having-fun-at-super-bowl-ties-nfl-combine-40-yard-dash-record/
  15. "Top Performers 2006-2011"
    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
  16. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-02-22-40-yard-dash_N.htm
  17. Sportsnet
    http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/nfl/john-ross-iii-runs-40-yard-dash-record-4-22-seconds-nfl-combine/
  18. NFL.com
    http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jalen-myrick?id=2558140
  19. Twitter
    https://twitter.com/nfl/status/569215838948950017
  20. NFL.com
    http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2019&workout=FORTY_YARD_DASH
  21. "Darrius Heyward-Bey - WR - Maryland - 2009 NFL Combine Results"
    http://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?f=Darrius&l=Heyward-Bey&i=8229
  22. NFL.com
    http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2019&workout=FORTY_YARD_DASH
  23. "Some Clarification is in Order: Average Speed by Position"
    http://www.milehighreport.com/2013/2/12/3969128/some-clarification-is-in-order-average-speed-by-position
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