Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave ran one of the fastest 40s in NFL Draft Combine history on Thursday. Not long after, he was topped by Baylor receiver Tyquan Thornton.
Thornton’s time wasn’t just faster than Olave’s, his 4.21 second time was faster than anyone in the history of the Combine.
WOW. JUST WOW.@BUFootball WR Tyquan Thornton might've just broken the all-time 40 record with a 4.21u.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/WvR8FfKv6M
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2022
That is blistering. And while running that fast would seem to require perfect technique, that wasn’t the case here.
So here's the scary thing about Tyquan Thornton's 1st 40u. His 1st 8 steps were mostly all off balance–especially step two which would make a dead track coach roll in his grave. Blazing time and yet–TONS of room for improvement room on the clock w/ better balance off the tape. https://t.co/LC4H0W0lrG
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 4, 2022
The NFL world was already abuzz with Olave’s time. This sent everyone watching to another level.
The previous record-holder, John Ross III, was among the many to react. He graciously passed the torch to Thornton.
Blazer!!!!!’ https://t.co/8Faz7oRITR
— j.Ross (@WatchJRoss) March 4, 2022
Yall crazy to think id be mad over him breaking it im happy for bro lol honestly that’s 🔥 fr!!
— j.Ross (@WatchJRoss) March 4, 2022
Ross was not the only one to take notice.
These boys sliding 🔥🔥
— Chris Johnson (@ChrisJohnson28) March 4, 2022
4.21 for Tyquan Thornton !?!?!?!?!!?!? pic.twitter.com/dHkdCi0hRE
— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) March 4, 2022
If you were at Shrine Bowl in Vegas a month ago, the first two numbers of Tyquan Thornton's time being 4.2 should not be a surprise.
That dude is a human jet engine.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) March 4, 2022
Tyquan Thornton. pic.twitter.com/CCpFqhK8nK
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 4, 2022
Much like Olave, this 40 time will do nothing but help Thornton’s draft status.
So who are we drafting at number 1? And why is it Tyquan Thornton? #DUUUVAL
— Men In Teal Podcast (@menintealpod) March 4, 2022
OK. Maybe not that much. But it will definitely improve his stock.
matt rhule on his way to draft tyquan thornton with the 6th pick: pic.twitter.com/ujCrV50bzw
— 𝘼𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙬 🦃🐈⬛🐝 (@704_Andrew) March 4, 2022
Tyquan Thornton moved up 3 rounds off this 40
— year 21 (@johnrivers131) March 4, 2022
Tyquan Thornton’s draft stock is BOOMIN’ rn. 📈📈
— Z2 (@Z2Fantasy) March 4, 2022
This is especially true since Thornton isn’t simply a burner. While at Baylor, he showed that he has a lot of skills necessary to excel at receiver.
For everyone inevitably Twitter searching " Tyquan Thornton " – he's not just fast. #SicEm pic.twitter.com/7eVxyc8VY4
— Ted Harrison (@tedvid) March 4, 2022
I watched some Tyquan Thornton today, was really impressed by his release. Definitely more than just a track star pic.twitter.com/Z5xX8EZmmz
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) March 4, 2022
After what we’ve seen at the Combine on Thursday, NFL general managers, offensive coordinators and quarterbacks have to be salivating at the kind of talent that may join their respective teams next season.
#NFLCombine2022 #Baylor WR Tyquan Thornton 4.21#OSU WR Chris Olave 4.26#NDSU WR Chris Watson 4.28
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 4, 2022
The defensive backs who have to go against Thornton and these other blazers aren’t quite so lucky. We can only wish them well and marvel at the speed that these soon to be rookie receivers have shown.
There are fast players in the Draft every year, but this kind of speed is not something we often see.
[NFL]
