Safety Sets New Record with Blistering 40-Yard Dash Time

Lorenzo Styles Jr. achieved a 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine, marking the fastest time recorded by a safety since 2003. This metric, central to NFL Combine evaluations, assesses short-distance speed and explosiveness. Safeties, traditionally associated with coverage and run support rather than elite speed, rarely match the times of cornerbacks or wide receivers. Historical records indicate no safety had posted a sub-4.31-second time since at least 2003, with average times for safeties in the 2000–2012 era ranging from 4.50 to 4.55 seconds. Styles‘ performance places him among the top 10 fastest Combine participants of all time, with only a few cornerbacks and wide receivers achieving comparable speeds.

Styles’ achievement is notable within a family with a strong football legacy. His father, Lorenzo Styles Sr., played six NFL seasons, including a stint with the St. Louis Rams’ Super Bowl XXXIV-winning team in 2001. His younger brother, Sonny Styles, also made an impact at the 2026 Combine, running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and demonstrating elite athleticism. The duo’s performances have drawn attention as one of the most athletic brother pairs in Combine history.

Styles‘ path to the Combine was unconventional. A former wide receiver at Notre Dame, where he caught 54 passes over two seasons, he transferred to Ohio State in 2023 and transitioned to defensive back. Over three seasons with the Buckeyes, he recorded 46 tackles and seven passes defended but never intercepted a pass—a common benchmark for safeties. His decision to switch positions, combined with physical attributes such as a 39-inch vertical jump, has drawn interest. His 40-yard dash time and vertical leap position him as a versatile athlete capable of contributing in multiple roles, including deep coverage and run support.

While cornerbacks and wide receivers typically dominate the Combine’s speed charts, safeties are rarely seen competing in the 40-yard dash. For context, Missouri cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. led the cornerback group with a 4.32-second time, and wide receiver Jacoby Ford set a benchmark for his position with a 4.28-second time in 2010. Styles‘ time, however, surpasses both, challenging traditional assumptions about the role of safeties in modern NFL schemes. This performance highlights the growing value of speed and coverage ability for safeties, who are increasingly expected to excel in both run support and deep coverage.

Styles’ Combine performance has elevated his draft stock, particularly given his prior reputation as a wide receiver. While he is not considered the NFL prospect his brother is, his 40-yard dash time and vertical jump have positioned him as a potential Day 2 or Day 3 pick. His athleticism aligns with the evolving demands of the safety position, where teams prioritize speed and versatility alongside traditional metrics like tackling and coverage. Scouts will evaluate his ability to translate Combine metrics into on-field performance, particularly in situational awareness and tackling.

Styles‘ achievement reflects broader trends in the NFL Combine, where athleticism and speed are becoming increasingly critical for all positions. The 40-yard dash remains a key metric, but its significance is amplified by advancements in electronic timing and the emphasis on player development. For safeties, Styles‘ performance may encourage teams to re-evaluate traditional scouting criteria, prioritizing speed and agility alongside traditional metrics like tackling and coverage.