Clemson Tigers cornerback Nate Wiggins dazzled on Friday at the NFL Combine, running the fastest 40-yard dash of any player at his position. But unfortunately, this was also the end of his day, as he suffered a concerning injury that ruined a bit of the positive buzz around his performance.
In the eyes of most NFL draft experts, Wiggins came into the combine as an expected first-round pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
He may have just secured that first-round status with an extremely impressive unofficial time in the 40-yard dash on Friday, running a 4.29 second time. This is just outside the top 10 of the best time run at the combine by any player in NFL history in this drill.
Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins stole the show at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, running a 4.29 40-yard dash. 🔥👀pic.twitter.com/RPHGCfzMdG
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 1, 2024
The official time clocked in even better after a further analysis. According to NFL Network’s Rich Eisen, Wiggins’ official time came in at 4.28 seconds.
Nate Wiggins official 40 time: 4.28
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) March 1, 2024
Unfortunately, after running Wiggins shared with NFL Network’s Stacey Dales that he “felt a pop” in his groin.
After that blistering 4.29 unofficial 40 for Nate Wiggins, he came off the field limping. He told me it was his groin, said it “feels like it popped” and felt like it was “on fire”. Hope he recovers quickly. And BTW, he wasn’t particularly satisfied with the 4.29. Wanted a 4.2.
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 1, 2024
After having it looked at further by the combine medical staff, it was determined that the injury was actually a hip flexor. It did end his day at the combine, but he told Dales that he should be ready to go at his Pro Day.
Wiggins just told me after seeing the medical staff, it’s a hip flexor. Says it’s more of a strain. Told me he should be okay by his Pro Day at Clemson. https://t.co/GMjgFINDaq
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 1, 2024
It obviously wasn’t ideal for Wiggins to suffer this hip flexor injury during his 40-yard dash. However, many around the NFL world seem to believe that he greatly improved his draft stock by running so well.
Nate Wiggins was STEPPING on this 4.29 seconds 40 yard dash. Best thing about it is he plays at that speed on tape as well. Phenomenal cover guy, with elite make up speed and route recognition. pic.twitter.com/tgTvUTOWJp
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 1, 2024
Nate Wiggins 4.29 40. Speed shows up on tape. Two of the best effort plays you'll see this year to save TDs. pic.twitter.com/KrBbFZK8eI
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) March 1, 2024
at the end of the day running the 40 is whatever but holy Nate Wiggins 4.29 at his size with his physical tools and ball skills.. GG’s. might just be the first corner of the board pic.twitter.com/agY1sqZTCy
— Liam (@Blutman27) March 1, 2024
Nate Wiggins just dropped a 4.29.
The NFL teams he spoke to told him they were expecting a time in the 4.5’s.
4.5’s my 🍑.
— Marc Ryan (@MarcRyanOnAir) March 1, 2024
Clemson DB Nate Wiggins just ran a 4.29 40 🏃🏽♂️💨💨💨
Just made himself millions pic.twitter.com/SvHS4x5Ed9
— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) March 1, 2024
Every scout sitting beside me on the 40 yard line comparing stopwatch times after Nate Wiggins' run (4.29u) pic.twitter.com/yTaQu7nHL7
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) March 1, 2024
A great 40-yard dash time is obviously not the most important thing that goes into evaluating a player. However, when you compare a great time with great skills on the field, you have a potential top-10 pick on your hands.
Wiggins was an extremely impressive player at Clemson over his three-year career with the program, with his best year coming in 2023 with two interceptions and six pass deflections.
As long as Wiggins’ hip flexor injury isn’t a serious one, we could see him get drafted very early in the 2024 NFL Draft come April.
