Bold claim: Kenyon Sadiq’s blazing 40 is turning heads and redefining what a tight end can sprint at the NFL Combine. And this is the part most people miss: his speed isn’t just fast for a tight end — it’s historically elite, reshaping expectations for the position.
In Indianapolis, Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq clocked a 40-yard dash of 4.39 seconds, the fastest time recorded by any tight end at the NFL Scouting Combine since at least 2003. That official mark edged out the previous standout of 4.40 seconds, set by Vernon Davis in 2006 and matched by Dorin Dickerson in 2010.
Sadiq stands about 6 feet 3 and a quarter inches tall and weighs around 241 pounds. He arrived at the combine with high expectations, and his performance did not disappoint. He kicked things off with a broad jump of 11 feet 1 inch, the top mark among tight ends early on, though Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers soon surpassed him with an 11-3 leap.
The vertical leap also showcased Sadiq’s explosiveness, measuring 43 1/2 inches. Stowers countered with a 45 1/2-inch vertical, the best by a TE at the event since 2003, briefly eclipsing Sadiq.
Despite the stiff competition and Stowers’ standout results, Sadiq delivered a standout overall day. NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranks him as the No. 16 prospect overall, reflecting the strong perception of his potential entering the draft.
During the college season of 2025, Sadiq posted his best numbers to date: 51 receptions for 560 yards (an 11.0-yard average) and eight touchdowns, leading all FBS tight ends in receiving yards. He earned second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press and was named Big Ten Tight End of the Year, narrowly missing the John Mackey Award to Stowers.
Ahead of the combine, Sadiq was widely regarded as the top tight end in the class and a likely first-round pick. His standout athletic testing only reinforces that expectation, keeping the buzz around him strong as draft coverage intensifies.
