Who was the fastest player at the NFL Combine 2024? Saturday wrapped up the top athletes participating at the scouting combine with the fastest players at NFL Combine putting their speed on display. With the 40 times in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look at the fastest players from this past week.
Importantly, weight is an important metric when looking at the best athletes at the NFL Combine 2024. That’s why, while our list will focus on the fastest players at the NFL Combine, we’ll also use Kent Lee Platte‘s metric Relative Athletic Score to provide some context for the athletic testing including the 40-yard dash.
Related: Fastest 40 yard dash times in NFL history
Here are the fastest players at the 2024 NFL Combine based on 40 times. RAS is graded on a 1-10 scale.
Jaylen Wright, running back, Tennesse Volunteers (T-10th) – 4.38 seconds
Coming off a 1,000-yard season with the Tennessee Volunteers, running back Jaylen Wright demonstrated why he was one of the best big-play threats in the SEC last year. After averaging 7.4 yards per carry on 137 touches this past season, Weight posted the second-fastest 40 time (4.38 seconds) among running backs. While he fell just a few ticks shy of Isaac Guerendo, Wright also had the fourth-best vertical jump (38″) and led all running backs in the broad jump (11’2″). Wright projects to come off the board in the fourth or fifth round.
Of note, Wright tied with Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones, Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jacob Cowling, Penn State Nittany Lons cornerback Daequan Hardy and Ole Miss Rebels cornerback Deantre Prince with a 40 time of 4.38 seconds. Of that group, Prince (1.47) had the fastest 10-yard split.
Jaylen Wright RAS score: 9.82 unofficial
Devontez Walker, wide receiver, North Carolina Tar Heels – 4.36 seconds
Drake Maye is the most well-known player from the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2024 draft class, but wide receiver Devonte Walker can claim the title of the fastest player coming from that program. Walker dominated at the combine, posting the fifth-best vertical jump (40.5 inches) and the second-highest broad jump (11’2″). He then closed out his impressive display of explosiveness and athleticism with a 4.36 time in the 40-yard dash, fourth among receivers and ninth among all players.
Devontez Walker RAS score: 9.88 unofficial
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Nehemiah Pritchett, cornerback, Auburn Tigers – 4.36 seconds
When you’re skinny as a defensive back, which Nehemiah Pritchett is, you better show out in the 40-yard dash. Fortunately for the Auburn Tigers cornerback, that’s precisely what happened. Measuring in at 6-foot, Pritchett put his top-end athleticism on display with the third-fastest 40 time (4.34 seconds) among defensive backs. He also posted the third-fastest 10-yard split (1.49 seconds). On the downside for Pritchett his 34.5-inch vertical jump was one of the worst among cornerbacks and he projects to be on the borderline of a Day 2/3 pick come April. That’s what hurt his RAS score.
Nehemiah Pritchett RAS score: 9.25 unofficial
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Decamerion Richardson, CB, Mississippi State Bulldogs – 4.34 seconds
While many well-known names were among the fastest players at the NFL Combine 2024, Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Decamerion Richardson made a name for himself on Friday. Standing at 6-foot-2, Richardson posted the third-fastest 40 time (4.34) among defensive backs, pairing that with an excellent 10’8″ broad jump. The size, length and speed are going to entice teams, but Richardson also struggled in coverage and profiles as a late-round pick who probably won’t become a starter.
Decamerion Richardson RAS score: 9.77 unofficial
Adonai Mitchell, wide receiver, Texas Longhorns – 4.34 seconds
No wide receiver came close to Xavier Worthy’s record-setting number, but teammate and Texas Longhorns playmaker Adonai Mitchell likely cemented his status as a top-35 pick with an eye-popping display of athleticism at the NFL Combine. Mitchell tested in the 99th percentile for the broad jump (11’04”) and posted the third-best vertical jump (39.5 inches). When you add that to his position-best 40 time (4.34 seconds), it’s clear Mitchell is one of the best athletes in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
Adonai Mitchell RAS score: 9.99 unofficial
Isaac Guerendo, running back, Louisville Cardinals – 4.33 seconds
Running back isn’t a position of strength in the 2024 NFL Draft, with even the consensus RB1 not viewed as a guaranteed second-round pick. However, that opens the door for someone to make a name for themself at the NFL Combine. Louisville Cardinals running back Isaac Guerendo did just that, posting one of the fastest 40 times in the entire class with an outstanding 42′ vertical jump. With one of the highest RAS scores at his position measured since 1987, Guerendo did his draft stock some favors with his performance on Saturday.
Isaac Guerendo RAS score: 9.99 unofficial
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Brian Thomas Jr, wide receiver, LSU Tigers – 4.33 seconds
Xavier Worthy stole the headlines as the fastest player at the NFL Scouting Combine and LSU Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers is widely viewed as the fastest player from that program. However, with Nabers sitting out, Brian Thomas Jr. proved he is an insane athlete. After posting one of the highest vertical jumps (38.5 inches) in his class, Thomas Jr. delivered the second-fastest 40 time (4.33 seconds) among wide receivers. With that athleticism on display, the LSU co-star now projects to be a top-20 selection.
Brian Thomas Jr RAS score: 9.97 unofficial
Related: NFL mock draft 2024
Quinyon Mitchell, cornerback, Toledo Rockets – 4.33 seconds
Quinyon Mitchell is one of the biggest winners of the 2024 NFL Combine and one of the fastest-rising prospects in the pre-draft process. Entering the offseason, he was largely viewed as a consensus top-30 talent. The 6-foot cornerback lit up the Senior Bowl then arrived for the NFL Combine and blew teams away athletically. In addition to his 4.33 40-time, Mitchell also posted a 38″ vertical jump. Mitchell could now be a top-15 pick come April.
Quinyon Mitchell RAS score: 9.75 unofficial
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Nate Wiggins, cornerback, Clemson Tigers – 4.28 seconds
Clemson Tigers cornerback Nate Wiggins showed up at the 2024 NFL Combine weighing just 173 pounds, making him one of the lightest defensive backs in the NFL. Fortunately, he made up for it with the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.28 seconds) among defensive backs. However, he suffered a hip flexor injury at the end of the run and was pulled from the remainder of the drills. Wiggins is expected to recover in time for the Clemson Pro Day (April 6) and remains a likely Round 1 pick.
Nate Wiggins RAS score: 9.42 unofficial
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Xavier Worthy, wide receiver, Texas Longhorns – 4.21 seconds (Fastest in NFL history)
Xavier Worthy vowed he would be one of the fastest players at the 2024 NFL Combine and he delivered. A few hours after teammate Adonai Mitchell ran a sub 4.35 in the 40-yard dash, Worthy bested his teammate by a significant margin with a time of 4.25. Minutes later in his second attempt, Worthy bested John Ross’ record of the fastest 40 time ever with an official mark of 4.21 seconds. He will be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Xavier Worthy RAS score: 9.37 unofficial
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