Average 40 yard dash time for high school freshman is 5.6 to 5.30 seconds. They gradually improve when they move to sophomore, junior, and senior years.
The 40-yard dash drill covers 36.576 meters and is primarily used to inspect an athlete's explosiveness.
The sprint activity has become a staple in football to evaluate a prospect's speed and acceleration scouts. The recruitment process can turn out in your favor if you perform above average in combines.
The 40-yard dash in the NFL Combine and other Pro Day events have been seen as the display of one's leg work.
High schoolers are also constantly observed based on their 40-yard record. It affects the decision of the college while recruiting them for the team.
Those who play as wide receivers or running backs are expected to sprint, so no other person in the field can catch them.
Likewise, other positions like Cornerbacks, Defensive Ends, and Quarterbacks also require you to have some acceleration advantage.
High School Average Time
Average 40 yard dash time for high school is 4.65 seconds for Wide Receivers and Defensive Backs. Running Backs averages at the same speed.
Anything around 4.80 seconds is considered fairly decent for these positions.
Likewise, the other position and their average numbers are as follows:
Quarterback: 4.70
Offensive Line: 5.30
Defensive Line: 5.00
Defensive End: 5.00
Linebacker: 4.75
Tight End: 5.00
Fastest High School 40 Yard Dash
Fastest 40 yard dash record in the high school belongs to WR Rondale Moore. He clocked at 4.33 seconds.
Moore was a four-star recruit from the Trinity High School. He attended the Purdue University and played college football wearing the Boilermakers uniform.
With a 4.32 second NFL Combine record in 2021, he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 49th place.
Other notable high school speedsters and their performance at the 40-yard dash are listed below:
WR Anthony Schwartz: 4.34
WR Javian Hawkins: 4.36
DB Kalon Gervin: 4.41
DB Bryand Richer: 4.43
WR Ygenio Booker: 4.42
DB Isaac Taylor-Stuart: 4.43
RB Jamaal Bell: 4.43
RB Malcom Davidson: 4.44
WR Tony St. Julien: 4.45
RB Travis Tisdale: 4.45
40 Yard Dash Times By Age
High School 40 yard dash by age is the lowest in the senior year. The muscle capacity and developed bodily structures of senior athlete allows them to sprint faster.
When we talk about dash time, the overall athleticism of an individual backed with experience comes into play. It is crucial to know that the timing differs for almost every position.
For example, you won't need a top speed like a wide receiver or a running back if you are an offensive lineman. You are stationed to protect the QB and hold the opponent's defense from entering the pocket.
You need endurance, strength, agility, power, and situational awareness to play your position.
Likewise, the same goes for other positions. The 40-yard dash is a mere metric to know what ability one holds. But, it does not portray the entire picture of one's talent.
For those who want to compare their dash record with others, here is a list of average timing for high schoolers aged 14 to 17.
14 Years Old
Average 40 yard dash time for a 14 year old is 5.6 seconds.
15 Years Old
Average 40 yard dash time for a 15 year old is 5.1 seconds.
16 Years Old
Average 40 yard dash time for a 16 year old is 4.8 seconds.
17 Years Old
Average 40 yard dash time for a 17 year old is 4.6 seconds.
For An Average Person
Average 40 yard dash time average person is around 5.2 to 5.6 seconds. An average Joe breaking into the 4.5-second frame is virtually impossible.
A few years ago, ESPN conducted a social experiment where the host Katie Nolan invited some people to the Always Late show. The candidates bragged about getting the 4.4, 4.3, and 4.5 seconds dash time.
All three of their performance were recorded over 5.5 seconds. It is difficult for a normal or non-athletic person to get anything around 5 seconds or so.
McNeil played as a Wide Receiver and Return Specialist for the Baylor Bears.
It is believed that the 4.19-second 40-yard dash for the German was his main attribute. It tempted the Houston Gamblers' owner of the United States Football League (USFL) to acquire him from the San Antonio Gunslingers.
After spending two seasons at the USFL, Gerald was drafted in the 1984 Supplemental Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played for the Browns from 1986 to 1989.
The 1987 Pro Bowler played his final season in the NFL as the Houston Oiler in 1990.
His small frame and lightning speed made him very difficult to tackle. Due to that, he earned the nickname 'the Ice Cube.'
In his five-year NFL career, Gerald made 3,569 return yards, 380 receiving yards, two receiving and two returning touchdowns.
NFL Combine
Fastest 40 yard dash ever recorded NFL combine was 4.22 seconds by Wide Receiver John Ross in 2017. Ross broke the previous record of 4.24 seconds.
Cincinnati Bengals drafted The WR as the #9 in the 2017 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Washington Huskies.
He is set to retire from professional football this year in 2023.
Before Ross, WR Rondel Melendez held the record for the fastest 40-yard dash in the NFL Combine. He did so in 1999.
Likewise, Running Back Chris Johnson came closer to surpassing him in 2008. But he couldn't conquer it and became the joint record holder.
Here is a list of the players who made the fastest 40-yard dash:
John Ross: 4.22 seconds (2017)
Kalon Barnes: 4.23 seconds (2022)
Rondal Menendez: 4.24 seconds (1999)
Chris Johnson: 4.24 seconds (2008)
Jerome Mathis: 4.26 seconds (2005)
Dri Archer: 4.26 seconds (2014)
Tariq Woolen: 4.26 seconds (2022)
D.J. Turner: 4.26 seconds (2023)
Henry Ruggs III: 4.27 seconds (2020)
Stanford Routt: 4.27 seconds (2005)
Anthony Schwartz: 4.27 seconds (2021)
Marquise Goodwin: 4.27 seconds (2013)
Tuner was the fastest person in the 2023 NFL Combine. The Bengals drafted him at the #60 spot.
Fastest NFL Player of All Time
Fastest players in the NFL cover Bob Hayes, Darrell Green, Bo Jackson, and Tyreek Hill. The WRs, CBs, and RBs are usually the quickest.
Hayes was a great sprinter who won Gold in the 100m at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He bagged another Gold in the 4x100m relay.
He was drafted into the NFL by the Dallas Cowboys as the No. 88 choice. He crossed the 1K yard gain in his rookie season and became the second athlete to do so in the franchise's history. He earned the nickname 'Bullet Bob.'
Bob helped the Cowboys win two NFC titles and a Super Bowl (1971). The three-time Pro Bowler is also inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Split End is the only individual to win an Olympic Gold and a Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Darrell Green
Washington Redskins drafted the Cornerback in 1983. He played for them for twenty years till 2002, until he retired.
The seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl Winner (XXII and XXVI) is speculated to have clocked the 40-yard dash at an unbelievable 4.09 seconds.
His longevity and top-notch performance earned him the moniker of 'Ageless Wonder.'
The 1996 NFL Man of the Year played 295 matches and holds the record for most games played by a defensive player. He also won four NFL Fastest Man contests.
Bo Jackson
The 1986 first pick is believed to have run 40 yards in 4.12 seconds. Jackson himself claimed to be electronically timed at 4.13 seconds.
The Running Back played four seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders from 1987 to 1990. He was selected for the 1990 Pro Bowl.
He rushed for 2,782 yards, averaging 5.4 rushing yards per game. He caught 40 times and rushed for 18 TDs.
Tyreek Hill
No one calls you 'Cheetah' without a reason, and Hill's speed justifies the nickname. He ran the 40-yard in 4.39 seconds at West Alabama's Pro Day.
The Super Bowl LIV winner was the #165 pick in 2016. He played for the Chiefs till 2021.
During the 2016 Week 12 contest against the Denver Broncos, Hill reached 22.77 miles per hour. It was the fastest speed recorded that year.
In 2022, the Miami Dolphins attained the fiery WR. He recorded his best of 119 receptions and 1,710 receiving yards for the Dolphins.
Some other notable names with their top speed include:
