Deion Burks 40 time: Oklahoma WR helps draft stock by showcasing elite speed originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Deion Burks officially put the NFL on notice at the 2026 Scouting Combine, blazing a trail through Indianapolis to secure the title of the fastest wide receiver in this year’s draft class.

The Oklahoma standout and former Purdue transfer lived up to his straight-line blur reputation by clocking a staggering 4.30-second 40-yard dash, the top mark among all receivers in attendance. Burks didn’t just stop at the sprint; he dominated the explosive drills as well, leading the position group with a 42.5-inch vertical jump and a 10′ 11″ broad jump, solidifying his status as a premier “workout warrior” for front offices searching for vertical threats.

While Burks was already considered a top-50 prospect by major analysts, his historic testing numbers in a year featuring some of the fastest composite times in Combine history have significantly boosted his stock. At 5-foot-9, 188 pounds, he lacks prototypical size, but his elite athleticism and ability to create immediate separation make him a lock for a high-round selection. By outrunning other high-profile burners like Georgia’s Zachariah Branch (4.35) and Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II (4.37), Burks has transitioned from a productive Big 12 playmaker into the draft’s undisputed speed king.

Here’s where Burks ranks all-time.

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Deion Burks 40-time

Burks ran a blazing 4.30 40-yard dash, which put him near the top of all wide receivers.

4.31u for @OU_Football WR Deion Burks 🔥

2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/GXE8SvNNMi

— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2026

Burks’ performance in Indianapolis confirmed his reputation as a premier vertical threat, as he also topped the wide receiver charts in several explosive categories.

MORE: NFL Draft order 2026

Fastest WR 40-times in NFL history

Though Burks led all receivers, he did not crack the all-time rankings.

MORE:Fastest 40 times ever at the NFL Combine

Deion Burks draft projection

Following his explosive performance at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Burks has solidified his status as a fast-rising prospect with a draft projection typically ranging from the late second round to the early fourth round. His stock has been significantly bolstered by his elite athletic testing, specifically his 4.30-second 40-yard dash and 42.5-inch vertical jump. While he was previously viewed by many as a mid-round candidate, prominent analysts now rank him as high as the top 50 overall.

NFL scouts are particularly enamored with his game-breaking speed and ability to serve as a legitimate three-level threat despite his smaller 5-foot-9, 188-pound frame. His evaluators note that he plays bigger than his size suggests, showing impressive body control and spatial awareness near the sidelines. 

However, some draft boards remain more conservative, placing him in the fourth or fifth round due to concerns over his limited catch radius and historical struggles in contested-catch situations. His production at both Purdue and Oklahoma was consistent but rarely reached the “elite” statistical threshold of the class’s top-tier receivers. 

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