INDIANAPOLIS — Going into this year’s NFL combine, many in the league believed Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson had the speed profile to challenge the event’s fastest times.
Thompson did not disappoint. He posted an official 40-yard dash of 4.26 seconds on Saturday, a mark that very likely will be the fastest at this year’s combine. Though it didn’t surpass Kansas City receiver Xavier Worthy’s record 4.21, Thompson’s time ties Jerome Mathis’ 4.26 (2005) and stands as the third-fastest 40 by a wide receiver since 2003, behind Worthy and John Ross (4.22 in 2017).
LSU’s Zavion Thomas, who ran immediately before Thompson, clocked an official 4.28. Several personnel evaluators in Lucas Oil Stadium said they couldn’t recall back-to-back 40s in the 4.2s; Thompson and Thomas were two of three official combine times under 4.30 this year. Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles Jr. also ran a 4.27 on Friday.
Thompson measured 5-foot-9 and 164 pounds at the combine. He spent one season at Mississippi State, where he set a school record with 1,054 receiving yards in 2025 — the most in the Southeastern Conference last season. He previously played two seasons at Oklahoma and one at Texas. Over his college career he averaged 39.8 yards per touchdown and this past season recorded 12 receptions of at least 30 yards and five of at least 50 yards.
Jeff Legwold
Feb 28, 2026, 07:33 PM ET