Predicting the 4 Fastest 40 Times at the 2024 NFL Combine | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Olivia Shea
Published Mar 23, 2026
Votes: 3
Predicted Times: Sobleski, 4.27; Giddings, 4.29; Thorn, 4.30
Texas Tech's Tyler Owens isn't a highly rated NFL draft prospect, but he's a great natural athlete. Currently, Owens is viewed as a late-round possibility. However, he has a chance to light Lucas Oil Stadium's FieldTurf on fire with a blazing 40-yard-dash time.
"As a former 5-star recruit from Plano East High school in Texas, Owens was once considered one of the most elite players in the country," Giddings said. "He was also a top track athlete during his senior year, running the 100-meter dash with a personal best 10.29 seconds and finishing multiple others under 10.60. He is a prospect with the background, talent and long strides to cover ground. If he gets a good start, he could break the 4.30-second barrier."
Owens struggled to find his footing on a collegiate field. He spent three seasons with the Texas Longhorns before joining the Red Raiders, where he finally became a starter in his fifth campaign. But his natural skill set is undeniable.
"The defensive back ran the 100m dash and 4x200m relay at Plano East High School, was clocked in the mid-4.3 range and was an elite all-around athlete before initially committing to the Longhorns," Thorn said. "With his pedigree and background, he has as good of a chance as anyone in this year's group to win the 40-yard dash."
The 6'2", 210-pound prospect brings a different level of explosivity to this conversation considering he's the only vote-getter who weighed in at more than 190 pounds. Fellow safety Zedrick Woods was the last to do so five years ago. Owens would be the heaviest to time the fastest since running back Keith Marshall in 2016.
"Over the last five combines, the average fastest time clocked in at 4.27 seconds," Sobleski said. "Considering that Owens has the fastest recorded 100-meter time among any of this year's prospects as well as topping out at over 23 MPH during a game, it's easy to envision him reaching that number. In doing so, Owens can elevate his status and possibly come off the board much sooner than expected."
