Nate Wiggins 40 time: How does he compare to other cornerbacks?

How fast is the former Clemson corner?
Sep 16, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina; Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) returns an interception
Sep 16, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina; Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) returns an interception / Gannett-USA TODAY NETWORK
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Nate Wiggins of Clemson is one of the top rated cornerbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft and is someone that a lot of people will have their eyes on at the Combine. While cornerback isn't as flashy of a position as say quarterback or wide receiver, it's a position where speed is important.

Wiggins was one of the fastest players in college football last season, making him one of the biggest must-watches in the 2024 NFL Combine. Many tuned in wondering if Wiggins could crack the all-time ranks with his 40-yard dash time.

The Clemson cornerback did not disappoint those who were tuning in to see a blistering fast 40-yard dash time. Wiggins ran his 40-yard dash on Friday and had a wildly impressive showing.

What was Nate Wiggins' 40-yard dash time?

Nate Wiggins ran an official 4.29 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine. At six-foot-two, Wiggins' sub-4.3 40-yard dash time is truly an athletic marvel worth seeing.

How would Nate Wiggins' 40 time compare to other 2024 cornerback prospects?

Player

Time

1. Nate Wiggins

4.29

2. Quinyon Mitchell

4.33

3. Decamerion Richardson

4.34

4. Nehemiah Pritchett

4.36

5. Jarrian Jones

4.38

Nate Wiggins ran the fastest 40-yard dash among all of the cornerbacks who were working out at the 2024 NFL Combine. Iowa's Cooper DeJean would have given Wiggins a run for his money, but he did not work out due to a fractured fibula.

Wiggins' bewildering fast 40-yard dash time came at a price, though. Later during the combine, Wiggins came up with a groin injury that forced him to withdraw from the rest of the combine drills.

Where would his 40 time rank all-time at the cornerback position?

Player

Time (Year)

1. Kalon Barnes

4.23 (2022)

2. D.J. Turner

4.26 (2023)

T2. Tariq Woolen

4.26 (2022)

4. Stanford Routt

4.27 (2005)

5. Champ Bailey

4.28 (1999)

T5. Jalen Myrick

4.28 (2017)

T5. DeMarcus Van Dyke

4.28 (4.28)

While Nate Wiggins' 40-time was undoubtedly fast, it would not crack the list of the five-fastest cornerback times in NFL Combine history. He is right outside the top five, trailing the likes of Jalen Myrick and DeMarcus Van Dyke.

This is a good reminder that just because a player is fast doesn't mean they'll be a success in the NFL. Barnes hasn't played in the NFL since 2022 and he has the fastest 40-time for a cornerback in Combine history and the third fastest among all positions.

Fastest 40-yard dash times in NFL history:

Player

40-yard dash time (year)

1. John Ross, WR

4.22 (2017)

T1. Donte' Stallworth, WR

4.22 (2002)

3. Kalon Barnes, CB

4.23 (2022)

4. Chris Johnson, RB

4.24 (2008)

5. DJ Turner II, CB

4.26 (2023)

T5. Dri Archer, WR

4.26 (2014)

T5. Tariq Woolen, CB

4.26 (2022)

8. Henry Ruggs III, WR

4.27 (2020)

T8. Anthony Schwartz, WR

4.27 (2021)

T8. Marquise Goodwin, WR

4.27 (2013)

Cornerback is a position where speed is important since they need to be able to keep up with some of the fastest wide receivers in the league. If a cornerback isn't fast enough, he's not going to be very good in coverage, which is a huge part of his job.

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