For the second time in less than five years, Zavion Thomas appears to have significantly boosted his career prospects with an eye-popping run.
The speedy and versatile LSU wide receiver blazed a 4.28-second 40-yard dash Saturday at the annual NFL Scouting Combine — one of the top times not only this week, but in the event’s history.
As a talented, but largely under-the-radar athlete in 2021, the John Ehret star ran a 4.32-second time at the Tigers’ recruiting camp in early June and kicked his process into gear with eight college offers that months, a signing with Mississippi State and then transfer to Baton Rouge two years later.
His even-faster performance Saturday was the third-best 40-yard time of the week and tied for sixth-best historically among wide receivers and 12th-best among all prospects.
Thomas also recorded a 36.00-inch vertical jump, which tied for No. 17 among wide receivers and No. 78 among all players at this year’s event (better than about 60% of those who participated in that testing drill).
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound weapon has been projected as a likely mid- to late-round draftee with his potential as an asset in the return game also helping his stock.
And his newly verified speed should only further help his case as teams sort through and rank their targets during the next eight weeks.
FASTEST NFL COMBINE 40-YARD DASHES
1. Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas (2024) — 4.21 seconds
2. John Ross, WR, Washington (2017) — 4.22 seconds
3. Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor (2022) — 4.23 seconds
4. Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina (2008) — 4.24 seconds
T-5. Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State (2026) — 4.26 seconds
T-5. D.J. Turner II, CB, Michigan (2023) — 4.26 seconds
T-5. Riq Woolen, CB, UTSA (2022) — 4.26 seconds
T-5. Dri Archer, RB, Kent State (2014) — 4.26 seconds
T-9. Lorenzo Styler Jr., S, Ohio State (2026) — 4.27 seconds
T-9. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama (2020) — 4.27 seconds
T-9. Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas (2013) — 4.27 seconds
T-12. Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU (2026) — 4.28 seconds <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
T-12. Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky (2025) — 4.28 seconds
T-12. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson (2024) — 4.28 seconds
T-12. Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor (2022) — 4.28 seconds
T-12. Jalen Myrick, CB, Minnesota (2017) — 4.28 seconds
T-12. J.J. Nelson, WR, UAB (2015) — 4.28 seconds
T-12. Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson, (2010) — 4.28 seconds
T-19. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas (2025) — 4.29 seconds
T-19. Javelin Guidry, CB, Utah (2020) — 4.29 seconds
T-19. Zedrick Woods, S, Ole Miss (2019) — 4.29 seconds
T-22. Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma (2026) — 4.30 seconds
T-22. Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State (2025) — 4.30 seconds
T-22. Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee (2025) — 4.30 seconds
T-22. Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland (2023) — 4.30 seconds