The Myth Of The 40: Tyreek Hill's Real Speed And 5 Facts That Prove He's The NFL's Fastest Man

The legend of Tyreek Hill’s speed is one of the most debated topics in the NFL, yet the simple question of his official 40-yard dash time remains surprisingly elusive. As of today, December 10, 2025, the wide receiver known as "The Cheetah" did not participate in the NFL Combine, leaving his Pro Day number to become the stuff of football folklore. This article cuts through the rumor mill to reveal his true speed metrics, from his collegiate track career to his record-breaking velocity on the field, and compares him to the new generation of speedsters like Xavier Worthy.

The truth is that Hill's straight-line 40-yard dash is only a fraction of his story; his game-breaking acceleration and sustained top speed, meticulously tracked by Next Gen Stats, are what truly cement his status as arguably the fastest player to ever step onto an NFL gridiron. We'll detail the actual numbers, the Pro Day discrepancy, and the five definitive facts that showcase why the Miami Dolphins star is an unparalleled force of nature.

Tyreek "The Cheetah" Hill: Complete Biography and Profile

Tyreek Hill, born on March 1, 1994, in Douglas, Georgia, quickly established himself as a world-class athlete long before his NFL career. His exceptional speed was first honed on the track, where he earned national recognition as a sprinter and long jumper. Hill’s collegiate journey was complex, spanning multiple institutions before he was ultimately drafted into the league.

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• Full Name: Tyreek Hill
• Nickname: The Cheetah, TyFreak
• Date of Birth: March 1, 1994 (Age 31 as of late 2025)
• Hometown: Pearson, Georgia
• Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
• Weight: 191 lbs (86 kg)
• Position: Wide Receiver (WR)
• Colleges: Garden City Community College, Oklahoma State University, University of West Alabama
• NFL Draft: 2016, Round 5, Pick No. 165 (Kansas City Chiefs)
• Current Team: Miami Dolphins (2022–Present)
• Previous Team: Kansas City Chiefs (2016–2021)

The Elusive 40-Yard Dash Time: Pro Day vs. Combine

Unlike most NFL stars, Tyreek Hill does not have an official, electronically-timed 40-yard dash from the annual NFL Scouting Combine. This absence is the root of the "Tyreek Hill 40 time" mystery, leading to various—and often exaggerated—claims over the years.

Why Hill Didn't Run at the Combine

Due to off-field issues, Hill was not invited to the 2016 NFL Combine. This meant his opportunity to post a verified, laser-timed 40-yard dash was limited to his Pro Day at the University of West Alabama.

The Official Pro Day Numbers

The most widely accepted and official times from Tyreek Hill’s Pro Day are: 4.28 seconds and 4.29 seconds. Some reports, however, cite a lower time of 4.25 seconds, which is often the number used by the Kansas City Chiefs when they drafted him. Regardless, all these times place him in the elite tier of NFL speed, but none are the laser-timed, combine-verified number that would have stood as the official record.

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This Pro Day time of 4.29 seconds is a critical benchmark, but it is important to remember that Pro Day times are often hand-timed or less strictly regulated than the Combine's laser timing, which can lead to slight discrepancies.

5 Facts That Prove Tyreek Hill is the Fastest Player in NFL History

While the 40-yard dash is a theoretical measure of straight-line speed, the NFL’s Next Gen Stats (NGS) provide irrefutable, real-time data on a player’s velocity during an actual game. These metrics are the true measure of Hill’s dominance, showcasing his functional, game-breaking speed.

1. He Holds the All-Time NGS Speed Record

Tyreek Hill holds the record for the fastest recorded speed by a ball-carrier in the Next Gen Stats era. In a 2016 game, Hill reached a staggering 23.24 miles per hour (MPH) on a kick return. Although the play was called back due to a penalty, the velocity was officially tracked, setting a benchmark that has not been surpassed by any other player since the technology was introduced.

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2. He Consistently Leads the League in Top Speed

Even as he enters his 30s, Hill remains an elite speedster. In the 2023 season, he still recorded one of the highest top speeds in the NFL, clocking in at 22.01 MPH on a play. His ability to maintain this elite, world-class speed deep into his career is a testament to his training and track background, making him a perpetual threat for the Miami Dolphins' offense.

3. His Track & Field Times Rival Olympians

Hill’s speed is rooted in his past as an elite track athlete. His personal bests in college are proof of his world-class sprinting ability:

• 100-Meter Dash: 10.19 seconds
• 200-Meter Dash: 20.14 seconds
• 60-Meter Dash (Indoor): 6.61 seconds

His 200-meter time of 20.14 seconds was good enough to earn him First Team All-American honors in 2014, and he represented the USA at the World Junior Championships. These times are faster than many professional sprinters, illustrating that he is a legitimate track athlete who plays football, not just a fast football player.

4. The Xavier Worthy Comparison Proves His Functional Speed

In 2024, Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy broke the NFL Combine record with a laser-timed 4.21-second 40-yard dash, surpassing John Ross’s previous record. This immediately led to comparisons with Hill. While Worthy's 4.21 is technically faster than Hill’s Pro Day 4.29, many analysts argue that Hill's ability to translate his speed into football plays—his acceleration, change of direction, and top-end velocity with pads on—makes him functionally faster. The difference between a 4.21 and a 4.29 in a straight line is negligible compared to Hill’s proven 23+ MPH game speed.

5. He is Nicknamed "The Cheetah" for a Reason

The nickname "The Cheetah" is more than just a catchy moniker; it perfectly describes his running style. Unlike pure sprinters who focus on top-end speed, Hill combines elite acceleration—the ability to go from 0 to 20 MPH almost instantly—with an incredible ability to maintain that speed, even while changing direction. This allows him to blow past cornerbacks and safeties, creating separation that few players in the history of the sport can match.

Tyreek Hill vs. Other NFL Speedsters

The discussion of the NFL’s fastest player often includes several other elite athletes. However, Tyreek Hill’s combination of 40-yard dash time, track speed, and Next Gen Stats velocity puts him in a league of his own.

• Xavier Worthy: Holds the Combine record (4.21 seconds), but has yet to prove his sustained top-end speed in an NFL game with the consistency of Hill.
• John Ross: Previous Combine record holder (4.22 seconds).
• Tariq Woolen: Ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.
• KaVontae Turpin: Another speed threat with reported 4.3 speed, often a comparison for pure acceleration.

Ultimately, the 40-yard dash is a snapshot of speed over a short distance. Tyreek Hill's enduring legacy is his ability to repeatedly hit speeds over 22 MPH on the field, with full pads on, against the best defenses in the world. His official 40-yard dash time of 4.29 seconds from his Pro Day is impressive, but his game film and Next Gen Stats are the definitive proof that "The Cheetah" is a true outlier in professional sports speed.