Fastest WRs at the 2025 NFL Combine: Top 10 list
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time at this year’s NFL Combine, clocking in at 4.29 seconds. Only Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston ran a quicker time (4.28), making Golden’s performance the fastest among all wide receivers and the second-fastest overall at the event. His time also ranks as the eighth-fastest by a wideout in combine history.
Tennessee’s Dont’e Thornton Jr. followed closely with a 4.30-second run, showcasing his explosiveness with a 1.51-second 10-yard split. At nearly 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Thornton’s combination of size and speed was one of the standout performances among receivers.
| Player | School | 40-Yard Dash (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Golden | Texas | 4.29 |
| Dont’e Thornton Jr. | Tennessee | 4.30 |
| Chimere Dike | Florida | 4.34 |
| Jaylin Lane | Virginia Tech | 4.34 |
| Arian Smith | Georgia | 4.36 |
| Tai Felton | Maryland | 4.37 |
| KeAndre Lambert-Smith | Auburn | 4.37 |
| Jordan Watkins | Ole Miss | 4.37 |
| Isaiah Bond | Texas | 4.39 |
| Jaylin Noel | Iowa State | 4.39 |
Golden’s Texas teammate, Isaiah Bond, had predicted he would break Xavier Worthy’s 4.21-second record but fell short, clocking in at 4.39 seconds. His time still ranked ninth among receivers.
Golden was the fastest receiver in Indianapolis, running an official 4.29. He hit a maximum speed of 24.17 mph, according to Next Gen Stats. After leading Texas’ receiving corps in 2025, he has solidified himself as one of the draft’s top deep threats.
Thornton ran a 4.30, making him the second-fastest receiver at the combine and third-fastest overall. His 1.51-second 10-yard split confirmed his elite burst. The Tennessee wideout led the SEC in yards per catch (25.4) and tied for the most 50+ yard receptions (six) last season. He reached 23.66 mph during his sprint, per Next Gen Stats.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah highlighted Thornton’s ability to stretch defenses:
“They split you out formationally from sea to shining sea… Then they let him just run those skinny posts and run right by people.”
Thornton also recorded a 33-inch vertical and a 10’6” broad jump. Injuries limited his production at Tennessee, but his combine performance has boosted his draft stock.
At 6-foot-4, Higgins turned heads with a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, a 39-inch vertical, and a 10’8″ broad jump. Known as a possession receiver, he showed surprising explosiveness, making him a strong Day 2 prospect.
Horn ran a 4.46-second 40 and recorded a 38-inch vertical jump. He excelled in the gauntlet drill, catching nearly every pass cleanly. His smooth route running and athleticism stood out.
Bryant struggled to stand out in a deep receiver class. He ran a 4.61-second 40, looking stiff in on-field drills. The second-team All-Big Ten receiver needed to show more burst but failed to do so.
Kelly had one of the slowest times among receivers, clocking in at 4.70. At 186 pounds, his testing numbers were closer to those of tight ends, which hurt his stock significantly.
Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten ran the fastest 40-yard dash among running backs at 4.32 seconds, followed by Texas’ Jaydon Blue (4.38) and SMU’s Brashard Smith (4.39). Tuten also posted the best vertical jump (40.5 inches).
Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan skipped all combine activities. Top quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and Cam Ward (Miami) also sat out, opting to showcase their skills at pro days instead.
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