Football World Erupts As Texas WR Xavier Worthy Breaks The NFL Combine 40-Yard Dash Record At 4.21 Seconds

Matt Fitzgerald·
CULTURESPORTS
·
NFL draft
@NFL

Xavier Worthy has wheels for days. The Texas Longhorns wideout disappointed at the NFL Scouting Combine when he checked in at just under six feet and weighed only 165 pounds. However, Worthy is an aerodynamic athletic marvel who more than makes up for a slighter frame with his legitimate world-class speed.

It appeared at first that Worthy had merely tied the Combine record for fastest 40-yard dash. After a long wait for the official marks to come in, Worthy was revealed to be the new standard bearer in the explosive sprinting competition at 4.21 seconds.

Look how close Worthy was with previous record-holder John Ross III. Beat him by a hundredth of a second:

The most legendary part about all of this? Worthy could’ve settled for a 4.25-second 40. Instead, he was eager to get back out there and chase history.

…And he freaking did it.

Reactions are through the roof around the greater NFL community. Prominent media personalities and current players alike are weighing in on Worthy’s stunning display.

As if the Kansas City Chiefs need any more help to continue building their dynasty, defensive end Charles Omenihu floated the possibility that Worthy could be off the board when KC picks at 32nd overall to finish the first round.

You better believe Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took notice.

…And yep, the NFL Network crew did Mahomes dirty again, pitting his 40-yard dash overlay against Worthy’s unreal run:

Any hurt feelings or tears Mahomes has over this can easily be wiped away by all the Benjamin Franklin bills from his contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Or maybe he can clutch his three Super Bowl MVP trophies when he goes to sleep at night if that doesn’t ease the pain.

Mahomes has just dragged a rather pedestrian receiving corps to back-to-back Lombardi Trophies, and it stands to reason that Worthy’s ability to blow the top off a defense could help the Chiefs gain back some of the explosive playmaking they had back when Tyreek Hill was on the team. Speaking of Tyreek — currently the fastest man on a football field anywhere — he couldn’t help but take notice of Worthy’s prowess.

When you’re getting those kind of props from The Cheetah, you know you’ve done something special.  Folks were freaking out — and I include myself in that crowd — even when Worthy’s time was unofficial. Needless to say, as loaded as this 2024 draft class of wide receivers is, Worthy overshadowed all of them.

The next-fastest wideout in the 40 was LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. at 4.33 seconds, matching the low running back time posted by uber-explosive Louisville product Isaac Guerendo. That’s hella impressive for a guy who’s almost 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds. Thomas will indubitably be a first-round pick. Doesn’t matter right now, because worthy is the talk of Indy.

Get ready for speculation to fly that Worthy raced himself into Round 1. It’d be a bummer for the rest of the NFL if Worthy fell to a legitimate contender with a superstar, cannon-armed QB. Imagine, say, Mahomes’ Chiefs getting him at No. 32. The Buffalo Bills would be wise to consider Worthy with the 28th pick. Josh Allen would love him a deep threat like Worthy to throw to. Pretty much impossible to lead Worthy too far with that type of explosiveness.

Here’s the best of the rest of the reactions to Worthy. What a moment.

A beer bottle on a dock

MORE FROM WHISKEY RIFF

WHISKEY RIFF RAFF PODCAST

WHISKEY RIFF SHOP

NEWSLETTER

ABOUT US

THE TEAM

STAY ENTERTAINED

A RIFF ON WHAT COUNTRY IS REALLY ABOUT

A beer bottle on a dock