When Xavier Worthy set the NFL Scouting Combine on fire with a 4.21-second 40-yard dash in 2024, the NFL couldn't stop buzzing about it. Worthy leveraged the performance into a round one selection by the Kansas City Chiefs, and now another player stands to accomplish the same by trying to break Worthy's record.
Worthy's successor at the University of Texas, Isaiah Bond, is expecting to one-up his fellow Longhorn at the 2025 NFL Combine this week as the latest college prospects show off their skills in front of NFL general managers and scouts.
A former track standout with a background in both sprints and football, Bond transferred to Texas after two years at Alabama and became the heir apparent to Worthy's deep-threat mantle. In high school, Bond won state titles at the Georgia 6A level in the 100-meter (10.51) and 200-meter (21.19) events.
Another Texas alum could threaten Worthy's record at this year's Combine.
Throughout the pre-draft process, Bond has been expected to emerge as one of the fastest overall players in his draft class—something that earned Worthy loads of attention a year ago as well. Whether or not he'll be able to match or best Worthy's time of 4.21 seconds remains to be seen, but Bond's pedigree and history should have him in the mix.
The NFL Combine’s fastest 40-yard dash times are often the primary talking point after the several-day event. John Ross became a top-10 overall selection with a blistering 4.22 second time, while Chris Johnson turned heads when he broke the record with a 4.24 second mark. Dri Archer and Marquise Brown elevated their draft stock with similar times in recent years.
Not every great run turns into NFL success, however. The aforementioned list is a good example. Ross is a familiar draft bust that hurt the Cincinnati Bengals offense for years after using such a high-level investment on a player who provided so little in return. However, the Chiefs are thrilled with Xavier Worthy's emergence in year one—a testament to his talent, the Chiefs' coaching staff, and Worthy's work ethic to grow his game.
Last season, Worthy became the Chiefs most-trusted target by season's end, an important development in the wake of injuries to Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown. He finished the season with 749 total yards from scrimmage and 9 touchdowns for the Chiefs and became a go-to for Mahomes in the passing game down the stretch. His coming-out party was in a losing effort in Super Bowl LIX when he caught 8 of 8 targets for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Eagles.
If Isaiah Bond can deliver on expectations, the title of fastest 40-yard dash in NFL history may belong to another Texas alum before this year's Combine is over.
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