2026 NFL combine: Who could run the fastest 40-yard dash?

For nearly four decades, Indianapolis has hosted the next crop of NFL stars at the scouting combine.

Draft-eligible prospects from across the country come to Lucas Oil Stadium to go through athletic drills, medical testing, measurements and team interviews. NFL franchises use this information to solidify their prospect rankings and boards ahead of the coming NFL draft.

Of those athletic drills, one stands out as the favorite among NFL fans: the 40-yard dash.

It's relatively simple: each prospect lines up and tests how fast they can run 40 yards. Almost anyone can do it, regardless of whether they're an NFL athlete or not.

Since 1999, the 40-yard dash has been timed electronically for greater accuracy. That year, Rondel Menendez ran the 40-yard dash in 4.24 seconds, a record that stood for nine years until running back Chris Johnson tied it in 2008.

Two years ago, wide receiver Xavier Worthy set the NFL combine record in the 40-yard dash at 4.21 seconds. That pushed him up to a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft at No. 28 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.

In the last five NFL combines, a wide receiver or cornerback has earned the fastest time in the 40-yard dash. Here are 10 prospects who could earn the best time this year:

40-yard dash candidates

RB Desmond Reid, Pitt

This running back class doesn't have speedsters in the mold of Johnson. It's mostly explosive backs at best with good long speed, not elite acceleration. Reid is the lone exception.

Pitt's speedy back averaged 6.0 yards per carry in his four college seasons (two with Pitt, two with Western Carolina). He had just 84 total touches in seven starts in 2025 but built a reputation as an electric ball-carrier. At 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, speed is how his game works.

WR Aaron Anderson, LSU

LSU fell short in 2025 for multiple reasons, none of which was a lack of speed on offense. Anderson is one of two Tigers who could contend for fastest 40-yard dash at the combine this year.

Anderson is a former Louisiana track star who lit up the football field in his prep career as a returner and wideout. His production dipped sharply in 2025 with zero touchdowns and 33 receptions compared to five and 61, respectively, in 2024. He could use the combine to prove he is a weapon from the slot at 5-foot-8 and 188 pounds.

WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia

Georgia yet again has a wide receiver who could challenge for the fastest 40-yard dash time. Branch transferred to Athens in 2025 and put his dynamic playmaking on full display. He managed 10 yards per reception in 2025 which doesn't sound impressive until you note his average depth of target (ADOT) was a career-low 3.6 yards per Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Branch was another high school track star who brought his dynamic playmaking to the college ranks. His production at Georgia with a bigger role should see teams look to him as a target from the slot. A fast 40-yard dash certainly could boost him up to early-Day 2 status.

WR Barion Brown, LSU

While Anderson operated from the slot, Brown was the Tigers' other speedy option out wide. At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he's got the frame to potentially stay on the outside at the NFL level.

If not that, Brown will likely be an immediate option as a returner. He notched nearly 30 yards per kick return in his four-year college career (three with Kentucky, one with LSU). After a down year for LSU, a good combine performance in the 40-yard dash will boost his stock.

WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State

The top of this wide receiver class is full of big-bodied outside receivers and a few slot standouts. You have to go deeper down the rankings to find the speedsters on the outside like Thompson.

At 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, there will be questions about Thompson's ability to hang with NFL physicality. But the production is there - he led the SEC in receiving yards with 1,054. He managed 18.5 yards per reception and lined up outside for the vast majority of his plays.

CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

South Carolina always produces athletic prospects for the NFL draft. Last year, it was Nick Emmanwori who wowed fans and scouts alike with his combine performance. Maybe Cisse could be the next one to do it.

The cornerback contenders are overall bigger than the wide receivers who could take the title for best 40-yard dash and Cisse is no exception. He's 6-foot and 190 pounds but reportedly ran it in 4.35 seconds last offseason. Extra time to train could see that number tick down.

CB Daylen Everette, Georgia

Everette is similarly long at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds which makes him one of the heaviest players on this list. He still boasts incredible foot speed when closing on ball carriers as well as mirroring receivers in man coverage.

He reportedly hit 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash during unofficial testing last year. More time to train solely for the combine could see some time taken off of that.

CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State

Igbinosun is the tallest player on this list at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds. That's not necessarily a bad quality; Riq Woolen had the second-fastest 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL combine at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds.

Igbinosun's speed shines through over long distances so the initial burst may be where he falls short. Still, he reportedly hit 4.34 seconds in the drill last offseason. Preparing for the combine could have a couple of hundredths off that time.

CB Domani Jackson, Alabama

Jackson is the heaviest player on this list at 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds. His length plus electric speed could see him move up to Day 2 status come the draft. A solid showing at the combine, featuring a top 40-yard dash time, could see him push earlier on the day.

Jackson reportedly ran a 4.28 40-yard dash last offseason which is among the best of this group. Things could change with more time to prepare but he's perfectly positioned to be at least top-five in the event.

CB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana

Ponds is the smallest cornerback in the group at 5-foot-9 and 173 pounds. He's a nickel-only prospect due to his smaller frame, which he plays much bigger than, as evidenced during Indiana's undefeated, national title-winning season in 2025.

During his prep career, Ponds won state championships in the 100 and 200 meters in Florida. It's not hard to see his twitchy athleticism on tape at the college ranks. He reportedly ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash last offseason which bodes well for him in the event at the combine.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 10 prospects who could run the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL combine