Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy had NFL coaches and scouts drooling and checking their stopwatches at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash in the history of the event. He set the track at Lucas Oil Stadium on fire as he burned through the run. As a result, Worthy shot up NFL Draft boards and went in the first round to the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
Xavier Worthy’s Record-Breaking 40-Yard Dash Made a Statement
Before the NFL Combine, Worthy was already garnering significant attention from NFL teams thanks to his production at Texas. He was already being projected as a late-first- or early-second-round pick. However, his draft stock soared after his terrific performance in Indianapolis.
On the second of his two attempts, Worthy ran an official 4.21-second 40-yard dash time, breaking John Ross’ record of 4.22 seconds.
OFFICIAL: 4.21
XAVIER WORTHY HOLDS THE NEW 40-YARD DASH RECORD pic.twitter.com/IrXf3WyemB
— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
After his record-setting run, Worthy was actually disappointed with his time.
“I feel like if I had another run, I would’ve gone faster,” Worthy said in an interview with Rich Eisen.
Anyone who watched Worthy’s college tape knows that his speed translates to on-field success, as he was very successful throughout his three seasons at Texas.
“Turn on the film the routes there don’t let that lil 40 mess your head up,” Worthy wrote in a social media post, acknowledging that he’s more than just his 40-yard dash time.
Turn on the film the routes there don’t let that lil 40 mess your head up
— Z A Y 🖤 (@XavierWorthy) March 3, 2024
Pro Football Network’s scouting report on Worthy before the draft was spot on. The report basically codified what we all know now, based on his NFL Combine speed and the flashes of brilliance Worthy has shown during his inaugural campaign with the Chiefs.
Worthy is 21 years old. He was born in Fresno, Calif., and attended Central East High School, where he earned a four-star rating from 247Sports as a highly touted recruit. Compared to the other rookies in his draft class, Worthy was on the younger side.
“Few things are more impressive than Worthy’s speed, but here’s something that is: From Day 1 at the college football level, Worthy was more than just a speed threat. He truly ‘got it’ as early as his freshman season, and he was an instant producer — not just with his speed but his intuition and intelligence as a WR.
“As a true freshman, Worthy caught 62 passes for 981 yards and 12 scores. The following year, Worthy caught 60 passes for 760 yards and nine scores. And in his final season, Worthy notched career-high marks in catches (75) and yards (1,014), while Texas made the College Football Playoff.”