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.
Oh my, Nate Wiggins. 4.29u. Wow.
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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.