Johnathan Walker:Patrick Mahomes sent a congratulatory text. That's the power of Xavier Worthy's combine run

No player boosted their draft status more at the 2024 NFL scouting combine than Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Worthy broke John Ross’ NFL scouting combine 40-yard dash record by running a 4.21 on Johnathan Walkerhis second attempt. It’s a record he knew he had a shot at breaking.

“I definitely knew I had a chance. I didn’t know it was gonna happen in reality. I came in knowing I was gonna run nothing slower than 4.25,” Worthy told USA TODAY Sports. “When I ran a 4.25 on my first one, I knew I was gonna break it. Because when I was training, I always ran faster on my second 40. So, I knew I was gonna run faster on that second 40.”

Worthy said his phone has been “buzzing” since he broke the combine 40 record. Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, DeSean Jackson and three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes were among the notable congratulatory texts he received.

Mahomes’ text was noteworthy for Worthy because the speedster identified the Kansas City Chiefs as an ideal landing spot for him.

“In a perfect world, I definitely would want to go to the Chiefs,” Worthy said. “Just the way Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs improvise and use you. They had Tyreek Hill. The way they used him, I feel like that would be a perfect fit for me.”

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Hill compiled 479 catches, 6,630 receiving yards and 56 touchdowns in six seasons with the Chiefs and helped Kansas City win Super Bowl 54. Hill is regarded as one of, if not, the fastest player in the NFL. Worthy believes he’s faster than Hill.  

And Worthy has always been fast.

The speedy wide receiver started 39 games in three years at Texas. He produced 26 career touchdown receptions, third all-time in Texas history. His 2,755 receiving yards ranks fourth all-time in school history.

In addition to football, Worthy was a track and field athlete at Central East High School in Fresno, California. As a sophomore in high school, Worthy ran wind-legal personal-best time of 10.65 in the 100-meters.

The Texas product is confident in his speed but he's also realistic. He laughed at people comparing his 40-yard dash run to that of Usain Bolt when the former Jamaican track and field superstar effortlessly ran a 4.22 in the 40 in sweats and sneakers at the NFL Experience in 2019.

“No,” Worthy said when asked if he could beat a now 37-year-old Bolt in the 40. “His 40 was in shoes and sweats. There’s no comparison. I’m not even gonna disrespect him.”

When it comes to NFL players, though, Worthy is confident he’ll be the fastest in the league on the first day of his NFL career.

“I think so,” Worthy said.

It’s hard to argue with that.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.