There was huge anticipation surrounding Jeremiyah Love’s performance during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Notre Dame athlete performed strongly and lived up to expectations, but ultimately failed to be the fastest running back on Saturday.
Mike Washington Jr. Was Faster Than Jeremiyah Love at the NFL Combine
These were the fastest running backs at the 2026 NFL Combine:
1. Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas – 4.33 seconds
2. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame – 4.36 seconds
3. Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest – 4.37 seconds
4. Jam Miller, Alabama – 4.42 seconds
5. Eli Heidenreich, Navy – 4.44 seconds
6T. Jadarian Price, Notre Dame – 4.49 seconds
6T. Seth McGowan, Kentucky – 4.49 seconds
8. Adam Randall, Clemson – 4.50 seconds
9. Robert Henry Jr., UTSA – 4.52 seconds
10. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska – 4.56 seconds
Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. ultimately recorded the fastest RB time in the 40-yard dash, finishing in 4.33 seconds.
The talented Love, considered one of the top names at the position for the upcoming NFL Draft, confirmed expectations by clocking 4.36 seconds, finishing in second place. Another notable performance was that of Demond Claiborne of Wake Forest, who secured third place with a time of 4.37 seconds.
Washington’s time of 4.33 seconds is considered exceptional, especially given his physical size (around 225 pounds), as players of this weight struggle to break 4.40 seconds. His time also included a 10-yard split of 1.51 seconds, demonstrating elite acceleration.
This year’s official running back times at the Combine – the fastest running back group in Combine history. pic.twitter.com/6UEDNXVHOI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2026
Even though he finished second, Love, with his 4.36 seconds, cemented his position as possibly the first RB to be chosen in the 2026 Draft, indicating that he will also be on the list of the top ten athletes to be chosen, largely due to his combined agility and speed.
Also noteworthy is quarterback Taylen Green (Arkansas), who drew attention by running the 40 yards in 4.37 seconds, the second-fastest time since 2003 for a player in his position at the Combine.
Washington’s NFL Draft Projections Have Improved Significantly
Washington began his college football career with the Buffalo Bulls in 2021, gaining greater national exposure. After a solid season at New Mexico State in 2024, he broke out in 2025 at Arkansas, becoming the 16th player in team history to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a single season, finishing with 1,070 yards and an impressive 6.4 yards per carry.
In addition to his 4.33-second 40-yard dash time, Washington posted elite numbers in other physical tests. He was second among running backs in the vertical jump (39 inches) and repeated the same ranking in the broad jump (10 feet, 8 inches), which are impressive feats for an athlete who officially weighed 223 pounds.
Washington still needs to improve his consistency in pass protection and lateral cuts, but his keen vision and balance after initial contact make him a highly rated prospect in the NFL Draft. Before the Combine, the athlete was seen as a “third-day” player (rounds 4 to 7), but he could now be a 2nd- or 3rd-round pick. If you want to understand this scenario better, try out PFSN’s NFL Mock Draft Simulator.
