Skip to main content

Miami's Phillip Dorsett can't break Chris Johnson's 40 mark

Chris Johnson's record 4.24 clocking in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine remains safe. For now, at least.



Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett was given a legit chance at breaking Johnson's mark Saturday. But Dorsett came up short, with an official clocking of 4.33.

Thus, Johnson's time remains the fastest since the implementation of electronic timing at the 2000 combine.

Dorsett's time wasn't even the fastest among this year's wide receivers. UAB's J.J. Nelson, who measured 5-foot-10¼ but just 156 pounds, turned in a 4.28 clocking. Nelson -- whose 10-yard split was timed in 1.5 seconds -- is a former two-time state 100-meter champion in Alabama.

Dorsett's 4.33 clocking was second-fastest of the day among the receivers. Tied for third at 4.35 seconds were Georgia's Chris Conley and West Virginia's Kevin White.

Some other notable times were turned in by Florida State's Rashad Greene (4.53) and Michigan's Devin Funchess (4.70). Greene's time was very solid, as there had been numerous doubt about his straight-line speed. Conversely, Funchess' time was disappointing. He played two seasons at tight end for the Wolverines before moving to wide receiver this season, but the 4.7 clocking was more in line with that of a tight end.

Also noteworthy was the 4.46 turned in by Georgia Tech's Darren Waller -- who is 6-6 and 238 pounds.

Count NFL Media's Gil Brandt among those impressed with the speed of the wideouts during Saturday's action, who tweeted it was the fastest group of receivers he's seen at the combine.

Kent State running back Dri Archer -- like Johnson (and Dorsett), a Florida native -- ran the fastest 40 at last year's combine, at 4.26. He was a third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.