Isaiah Bond arrived at the NFL Combine with a bold goal, telling reporters he planned to break the event’s 40-yard dash record with a time of 4.20 seconds and possibly even a 4.1.
The ambitious claim placed him in direct comparison with former Longhorns speedster Xavier Worthy, but when it came time to back up his words on the field, Bond fell short of his target before draft night. Bond’s first attempt clocked in at an unofficial 4.41, followed by a 4.40 on his second try. When the official numbers were finalized, Bond was credited with a 4.39, nowhere near the level of Worthy’s record-breaking 4.21 speed.
He finished tied for ninth place amongst the group behind Tai Telton, Chimere Dike, and fellow Texas teammate Matthew Golden, who posted a 4.29 to lead the position group. As the results came in, Worthy took to social media to remind everyone of his dominance, tweeting: “There’s fast, then there’s me.” Golden’s success was magnified after Bond’s ambitions compared more with those of his college teammate than among the NFL’s elite.
Both Texas receivers completed the 40-yard dash and 10-yard split. The remaining events are the vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and bench press. Golden outperformed Bond in both categories and currently holds the fifth-best calculated Next Gen score among all receivers.
Bond ranks 15th, well behind Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who remains the top-rated prospect factoring in combine performance, pro day, and college production. Hunter skipped the combine and instead will show his speed, strength, and football IQ during Colorado’s Pro Day in March.
Despite the setback, Bond’s NFL prospects remain promising. He finished his junior season with 540 yards and five touchdowns, ranking him 27th among SEC receivers. Golden was far more productive, leading the Longhorns with 987 yards and nine touchdowns. The SEC’s leading receiver, Arkansas’s Andrew Armstrong, topped the conference with 1,140 yards. LSU’s Kyren Lacy, Ole Miss’s Jordan Watkins, and Golden each scored a conference-best nine times, while Bond’s five touchdowns placed him 18th in the division.
Scouts remain optimistic about Bond’s potential at the next level, believing his skill set will translate better in an NFL system than it did in Texas’ offensive scheme. His lower production was largely attributed to his role as a decoy, creating space for other playmakers rather than operating as a primary target. His explosiveness, route-running ability, and versatility in the slot have drawn comparisons to Miami Dolphins wideout Jaylen Waddle, and analysts believe he could emerge as a dangerous weapon within his first three seasons.
Current draft projections have Bond as a late first-round selection, with the Los Angeles Rams listed as a likely landing spot at pick No. 26. The Rams are reportedly trading former First-team All-Pro Cooper Kupp and would be in the market for a young, dynamic receiver to pair with Puka Nacua and quarterback Matthew Stafford.
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