College football players can either help or hurt their draft stocks with their performances at the annual NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Several players have parlayed legendary combine showings into first-round selections over the years including former Clemson wide receiver John Ross, whose 4.22 time in the 40-yard dash propelled him to the no. 9 overall pick, ex-Maryland tight end Vernon Davis, who went sixth overall after setting a combine record for TEs with a 4.38 time in the 40, and UConn cornerback Byron Jones, who was the 27th overall pick after setting a combine and (unofficial) world record in the standing broad jump at 12 feet, three inches.
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy are also recent examples of players who helped their draft standing with their combine performances.
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Perhaps no singular drill can make or break a player’s draft stock than the 40-yard dash. Below are the 20 fastest 40 times from the 2026 combine.
1- Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State: 4.26 seconds
2- Lorenzo Styles Jr., safety, Ohio State: 4.27 seconds
3- Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU: 4.28 seconds
4- Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma: 4.30 seconds
5- Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati: 4.31 seconds
6- Toriano Pride Jr., CB, Missouri: 4.32 seconds
7- Robert Spears-Jennings, safety, Oklahoma: 4.32 seconds
8- Treydan Stukes, safety, Arizona: 4.33 seconds
9- Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas: 4.33 seconds
10- Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State: 4.34 seconds
11- Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia: 4.35 seconds
12- Eric Rivers, WR, Georgia Tech: 4.35 seconds
13- Dillon Thieneman, safety, Oregon: 4.35 seconds
14- Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas: 4.36 seconds
15- Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame: 4.36 seconds
16- De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss: 4.36 seconds
17- Malik Benson, WR, Oregon: 4.37 seconds
18- Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee: 4.37 seconds
19- Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest: 4.37 seconds
20- Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia: 4.38 seconds
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