Nate Wiggins runs combine-best 4.29 40-yard dash
Scouts thought former Clemson star Nate Wiggins would run in the 4.5-second range when the defensive backs dashed through the 40 at Friday’s NFL Combine.
Boy, did they underestimate Wiggins. He sprinted to an unofficial, but still sizzling 4.29, which prompted applause from those in attendance at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. As of Friday afternoon, it is the quickest time of the combine. It then became official and even faster at 4.28.
If you love to watch sweet speed, take a look at Wiggins gliding those 40 yards. The NFL shared the video with the caption “Oh my, Nate Wiggins. 4.29u. Wow.”
Wiggins finished with NFL Combine after injuring hip flexor
However, Wiggins thought he strained his groin as he ran the dash. He told NFL Network he felt it pop. Wiggins said he is finished for the day and actually ran slower than he wanted. He was expecting a 4.2.
Minutes later, he revealed the official diagnosis was a strained hip flexor. He said he should be healthy by the Clemson Pro Day.
On Thursday, Wiggins let reporters know that teams were telling him they expected a 4.5. That amused him.
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“I don’t know what they looking at. I don’t know who they’re looking at,” Wiggins said of his NFL Combine response. “Every time I go in a meeting, they say 4.5, I just laugh.”
Clemson CB projected as first-rounder
On3’s Andy Staples and Phillip Dukes analyzed some of the better draft prospects at the NFL Combine. Dukes predicted good things from Wiggins.
“I think that Nate Wiggins, the cornerback at Clemson, he’s really gonna surprise some people,” Dukes said. “I think he is starting to move up the board a little bit, to where he’s in that top 20 range. But I’m hearing he could run 4.2. And if he runs a 4.2, he’s going to light to Combine up at his at his height.”
So how much can a 4.29 help Wiggins? Most thought he would be a first-round pick. But defenders are projected to take a back seat in the NFL Draft, but a spectacular combine performance could shake that up. Before the combine, the first 10 prospects were expected to be offensive players. Maybe a DB sneaks in.