Fastest 40-yard Dash Times in NFL Combine History

The speedy kick returner was the top man in the 40-yard dash in 2005.

At the 2005 NFL Draft Combine, Jerome Mathis dazzled everyone in attendance by running a 4.26-second 40-yard dash.

Guess what? Yes, Mathis has experience in track and field in both high school and college. As a prep star, he was a six-time state champion. At Hampton University, he was a two-time NCAA East Region champion in the 200-meter dash.

Jerome’s standout season with the Pirates was in 2004 when he averaged 29.8 yards per catch. He also averaged 35.5 yards on kickoff returns. Mathis ended his career by returning six kickoffs for touchdowns. The former Hampton wide receiver also had 4,541 all-purpose yards in his four-year career.

Mathis would get selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

In his rookie season, he racked up 1,542 kick return yards with two touchdowns. Those numbers would earn him a Pro Bowl nod, First-team All-Pro honor, NFL Alumni Special Teams Player of the Year honors, and PFWA All-Rookie Team selection. Sadly, however, his career only lasted for three seasons.

He would end his NFL run with 2,054 kick return yards with three touchdowns. From there, he went on to play in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League. He has since retired from the game altogether.