Texas Wide Receiver Xavier Worthy Sets New 40-Yard Dash Record at NFL Combine
Xavier Worthy, the talented wide receiver from the University of Texas, made history at the NFL combine on Saturday with his blazing speed. In his second attempt at the 40-yard dash, Worthy posted an official time of 4.21 seconds, surpassing John Ross III’s previous record of 4.22 seconds set in 2017.
Worthy’s incredible feat caught the attention of not only his fellow prospects but also NFL superstars like Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes took to Twitter to acknowledge Worthy’s achievement, tweeting, “my bad 4.22….” Other players, such as Ty Hill and Micah Parsons, also expressed their amazement at Worthy’s speed.
The 20-year-old receiver’s exceptional speed has been well-documented throughout the 2023 season. Reel Analytics reported that Worthy reached a top speed of 22.7 mph during a punt return touchdown in Week 12, although it was ultimately nullified due to a penalty. This impressive speed was the highest recorded among all college players in 2023. To put it into perspective, D.K. Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks, who led all NFL players in top speed during the 2023 season, clocked in at 22.23 mph.
Worthy’s record-breaking performance at the combine solidifies his status as one of the fastest players in football. Adam Schefter, an NFL insider, tweeted a list of the fastest 40 times in combine history, with Worthy sitting at the top with his remarkable time of 4.21 seconds.
While Worthy’s speed is unquestionable, there are concerns about his size. Standing just over 5’11” and weighing 165 pounds, he is considered undersized for an NFL wide receiver. Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department currently ranks him as the 10th best wide receiver and the 57th overall player on their big board. B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen highlighted Worthy’s ability to stretch the field and stress defenses horizontally but also mentioned his lack of size and inconsistency, particularly with his hands. Klassen described Worthy as having a high-risk, high-reward profile that may not appeal to everyone.
Despite these concerns, Worthy’s record-breaking speed is likely to boost his draft stock. His ability to take the top off opposing defenses and stretch the field horizontally makes him an enticing prospect for teams in need of a deep threat. While his size may be a disadvantage, his speed and game-breaking potential cannot be ignored.
As the NFL draft approaches, all eyes will be on Xavier Worthy. Will his historic 40-yard dash time be enough to overcome concerns about his size and inconsistency? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Worthy has left a lasting impression with his record-breaking performance at the NFL combine.