2024 NFL Scouting Combine: Fastest 40-yard dash times for running backs

Saturday is perhaps the biggest day of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, with three key position groups performing drills for scouts. First up in the 40-yard dash were the running backs as they looked to make impressions on the teams in attendance in Indianapolis.

Two players broke a 4.40 time, with Isaac Guerendo out of Louisville as the headliner. He led the way with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash on his first attempt, closely followed by former Tennessee star Jaylen Wright and Trey Benson out of Florida State. One of the more impressive runs came from former USC standout MarShawn Lloyd, though, who turned in a 4.46-second run after measuring in at 5-foot-9, 220 pounds.

Here’s a look at the fastest 40-yard dash times for the running backs. All times are unofficial.

Isaac Guerendo, Louisville – 4.33 seconds

After starting his career at Wisconsin, Isaac Guerendo decided to move on and commit to Louisville. He then became the top back with the Cardinals as they made a run to the ACC Championship, and he put on a show at the combine with the top 40-yard dash of the running backs.

Guerendo ran for 810 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in his lone season with the Cardinals. That came after four years at Wisconsin, where he served in a reserve role and totaled 582 rushing yards and six touchdowns over that time.

Jaylen Wright, Tennessee – 4.38 seconds

After turning in the second-best broad jump by a running back in Combine history, Jaylen Wright raised eyebrows again in the 40-yard dash. His second attempt came in at an unofficial 4.38 seconds, which was second among running backs.

Wright was a crucial piece of the Tennessee running game this past season, rushing for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. That came after a 10-touchdown season in 2022, and his performance likely kept him in the conversation to be one of the top running backs off the board in April’s draft.

Trey Benson, Florida State – 4.39 seconds

After starting his career at Oregon, Trey Benson emerged as a key piece of the Florida State the last two seasons. He totaled nearly 1,900 rushing yards with the Seminoles, and he also showed off his speed with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash on Saturday at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

Benson showed off his ability to perform in both the running and passing games this past season at Florida State to help the Seminoles to an ACC title. He totaled 906 yards and 14 yards in the running game, in addition to 227 receiving yards.

Keilan Robinson, Texas – 4.42 seconds

Another high-profile transfer at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Keilan Robinson can be a big piece of both an NFL offense and on special teams. He was Texas’ primary kickoff returner in 2023 and also ran back his first career touchdown against Texas Tech.

Robinson took 22 returns back for 494 yards this past season while adding 134 rushing yards as a running back. He could find himself running kicks back in the NFL, and his 4.42-second 40-yard dash helped him make his case to the scouts in attendance.

MarShawn Lloyd, USC – 4.46 seconds

In his lone season at USC after transferring from South Carolina, MarShawn Lloyd put himself on the map in NFL Draft circles. He led the Trojans in rushing and totaled more than 200 receiving yards as a key piece for the Trojans.

Lloyd ran for a career-high 820 yards in 2023 and reached the end zone nine times. Before that, he saw two seasons of action at South Carolina in which he totaled 801 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, and his 4.46-second 40-yard dash likely helped cement his case for an NFL future.

Jaden Shirden, Monmouth – 4.46 seconds

A few running backs impressed out of smaller schools in the 40-yard dash, including Jaden Shirden out of Monmouth. He turned in an impressive run in the event with a 4.46-second run following two impressive seasons with the Hawks.

Shirden ran for 1,478 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023, but his biggest year came as a sophomore in 2022. He totaled 1,722 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns as he now looks to take his skills to the next level as a speedy running back.

Kimani Vidal, Troy – 4.46 seconds

After a huge season at Troy, Kimani Vidal also came in the top 10 runs in the 40-yard dash on Saturday. His 4.46-second run put him seventh among the big group of players, and it comes after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Trojans.

In 2023, Vidal set a new career high with 1,661 rushing yards, which ranked second in the FBS. He also found the end zone 14 times to serve as a big part of the offense as a senior.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue – 4.49 seconds

After starting his career at wide receiver at Iowa, Tyrone Tracy Jr. opted for a change of scenery as well as a change of position. He moved to running back at Purdue, and his versatility makes him an intriguing NFL Draft prospect.

Tracy ran for 716 yards and eight touchdowns this past season in West Lafayette, but ended his career with 1,201 receiving yards over his five years of college football. He also came in the top 10 of the 40-yard dash as he presents an interesting case to scouts ahead of the draft.

George Holani, Boise State – 4.52 seconds

One of the top rushers in the Mountain West over the last five years, George Holani came in tied for ninth in the 40-yard dash among running backs. He also proved to be a threat with both his legs and with his arms during his career at Boise State.

This past season, Holani ran for 748 yards and seven touchdowns in just eight games. That came after a breakout season in 2022 in which he reached 1,157 yards and 10 touchdowns while also hauling in 24 receptions for 151 yards and three touchdowns for the Broncos.

Michael Wiley, Arizona – 4.52 seconds

Michael Wiley’s second run of the day moved him into the Top 10 of the 40-yard dashes on Saturday, jumping past Blake Corum out of Michigan. He came in at 4.52 seconds after five years at Arizona.

This past season, Wiley proved to be more of a threat in the passing game as he totaled 306 receiving yards and five touchdowns compared to 311 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. However, his 2022 season proved his ability to take over as a lead back, running for 771 yards and eight touchdowns that year.

Rest of the 40-yard dash times for RBs at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Blake Corum, Michigan – 4.53 seconds
Ray Davis, Kentucky – 4.53 seconds
Dylan Laube, New Hampshire – 4.54 seconds
Bucky Irving, Oregon – 4.56 seconds
Jawhar Jordan, Louisville – 4.56 seconds
Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State – 4.58 seconds
Emani Bailey, TCU – 4.61 seconds
Cody Schrader, Missouri – 4.61 seconds
Kendall Milton, Georgia – 4.62 seconds
Dillon Johnson, Washington – 4.68 seconds
Audric Estime, Notre Dame – 4.72 seconds

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25. Then, the second and third rounds will be April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds April 27. Before that, the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine runs through March 4 in Indianapolis.