Dezhaun Stribling's 40-Yard Dash Time Sparks NFL Draft Buzz
Washington State wide receiver Dezhaun Stribling has become a trending topic after his official 40-yard dash time was revealed during Friday's NFL Scouting Combine. The 6'2" junior clocked in at 4.38 seconds, placing him among the fastest receivers in this year's draft class and boosting his stock ahead of April's selection process.
Stribling's performance is drawing comparisons to recent NFL success stories like DK Metcalf, who similarly used combine speed to solidify his draft position. Scouts had previously questioned whether Stribling could separate from elite NFL cornerbacks, but Friday's result suggests he has the raw athleticism to compete at the professional level.
The viral moment comes at a critical time for Stribling, who declared for the draft after a breakout 2025 season with 1,143 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. His combine showing has already generated reactions across the league, with ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. moving Stribling into his updated "Top 50 Big Board" released Saturday morning.
NFL teams prioritizing speed at receiver—particularly the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins—are reportedly showing increased interest. Stribling's time ranks third among combine participants at his position this year, trailing only Texas' Xavier Worthy (4.31) and Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka (4.35).
Social media reactions highlighted the significance of the performance, with Stribling's name trending on Twitter for over 12 hours. The receiver himself tweeted "Godspeed" with a stopwatch emoji shortly after the results were official. His former Washington State teammates and coaches have since shared congratulatory messages.
With the NFL Draft beginning April 28 in Detroit, Stribling's combine performance has reshaped his professional trajectory. Projections now suggest he could hear his name called as early as the second round, whereas pre-combine evaluations had him pegged as a Day 3 selection. The next test comes at Washington State's Pro Day on March 15, where Stribling will have another opportunity to showcase his skills for scouts.
