2024 NFL Scouting Combine: Fastest 40-yard dash times for tight ends
Friday’s final group at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine was the tight ends. They closed out the day with the 40-yard dash at Lucas Oil Stadium – although one big name didn’t run.
Former Georgia star Brock Bowers didn’t participate in the event, it was announced. He’s a potential top-10 pick, and he will opt to showcase his skills at UGA’s Pro Day, instead, after meeting with reporters Friday morning.
Here are the fastest 40-yard dash times for the tight ends. All times are unofficial.
Devin Culp, Washington – 4.47 seconds
Devin Culp didn’t leave much room for doubt as he turned in the best 40-yard dash time of the tight ends Friday evening. He ran it in 4.47 seconds, which surely made an impression on the teams in attendance.
Culp was a key piece of Washington’s high-powered offense this past season as the Huskies made a run to the national championship. He hauled in 66 receptions for 711 yards and four touchdowns during his time in Seattle.
Theo Johnson, Penn State – 4.58 seconds
Hoping to follow Pat Freiermuth’s example as a former Penn State tight end, Theo Johnson had two strong years for the Nittany Lions to wrap up his career in Happy Valley. He also turned in the second best time in the group during the 40-yard dash on Friday as he hopes to improve his NFL Draft stock.
Johnson is coming off a career-best year in 2023, finishing with 341 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. While he might not end up an early round selection, necessarily, he still showcased his versatility in Indianapolis with his performance at the Combine.
Jaheim Bell, Florida State – 4.61 seconds
After becoming a jack-of-all-trades at South Carolina, Jaheim Bell put together an impressive senior season at Florida State in 2023. He emerged as a key piece of the passing game, and his unique skillset makes him an interesting prospect in the draft.
Bell clocked in with a 4.61-second 40-yard dash to finish tied for third among the tight ends. He also is coming off a big year in 2023, finishing with 503 receiving yards and two touchdowns for FSU just one season after rushing for 261 yards at South Carolina.
Tanner McLachlan, Arizona – 4.61 seconds
After starting his career at Southern Utah, Tanner McLachlan worked his way up to an All-Pac-12 selection at Arizona this past season. His 4.61-second 40-yard dash tied with Jaheim Bell for third-best among the tight ends at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine as he continues to improve his draft stock.
McLachlan totaled 984 receiving yards over two years at Arizona, including 528 this past season. He also hauled in six touchdown receptions as a red-zone target as he hopes to follow in the shoes of Rob Gronkowski as an Arizona tight end to succeed in the NFL.
Jared Wiley, TCU – 4.62 seconds
The 2023 season turned out to be a breakout campaign for Jared Wiley at TCU, and it’s earning him some draft chatter. With a 4.62 40-yard dash, he finished in the top half of the tight ends group Friday night at the Combine.
Wiley hauled in a career-high 47 receptions for 520 yards and eight touchdowns as a central part of the TCU offense. That took him over 1,000 receiving yards for his career with the Horned Frogs as he looks to become a late- to mid-round selection.
Tip Reiman, Illinois – 4.64 seconds
As the Combine went along Friday night, Tip Reiman garnered some love from the broadcast. He clocked in at 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash coming off a solid career at Illinois.
Over the last three years with the Fighting Illini, Reiman totaled 420 receiving yards and five touchdowns. In 2023, he hauled in 19 receptions for 203 yards and three touchdowns during an up-and-down year in Champaign.
Cade Stover, Ohio State – 4.65 seconds
A key piece of the Ohio State offense alongside a talented wide receiver room, Cade Stover presents an interesting case for NFL evaluators. He proved his worth in the passing game, but also raised some eyebrows in the blocking drills, as well.
Stover turned in a 4.65-second 40-yard dash, which ranked seventh among tight ends. He’s coming off back-to-back impressive years in Columbus, including a career-best 576 yards and five touchdowns in 2023.
Ben Sinnott, Kansas State – 4.68 seconds
After starting his career at fullback, Ben Sinnott made the full-time switch to tight end the last two seasons at Kansas State. The 2023 campaign turned out to be his best, and it’s getting him some NFL Draft looks, as well.
Sinnott finished with 676 receiving yards and six touchdowns this past season for K-State, and he also turned in a 4.68-second 40-yard dash on Friday at the Combine. His blocking ability was also solid, which could help lead a team to take a chance on him in the draft come April.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas – 4.69 seconds
Considered one of the top tight end prospects in the draft this year, Ja’Tavion Sanders is coming off a big year in 2023 at Texas. He recently came in as a second-round pick in a CBS Sports mock draft late last month.
Sanders ranked third on the Longhorns roster with 682 receiving yards this past season and hauled in two touchdowns, as well. His 4.69-second 40-yard dash put him ninth among the 11 tight ends to participate Friday night.
Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota – 4.76 seconds
In an up-and-down year for Minnesota, Brevyn Spann-Ford served as a key piece of the red zone offense. He hauled in 25 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns, and will now look to take his skills to the next level.
All told, Spann-Ford totaled 1,061 receiving yards during his time in Minnesota, including a 497-yard showing in 2022. He finished 10th among tight ends in the 40-yard dash with a 4.76 unofficial time.
Dallin Holker, Colorado State – 4.78 seconds
Rounding out the group of tight ends in the 40-yard dash was Dallin Holker out of Colorado State. He logged a 4.78-second run in the event.
Holker started his career at BYU before spending this past season at Colorado State, where he put up huge numbers for the Rams. He totaled 767 receiving yards and six touchdowns to put himself on the NFL Draft map.
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. The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine runs through March 4 in Indianapolis.