With the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Malik Nabers out of LSU. Nabers was widely regarded as one of the most impressive wide receiver prospects in recent memory, and his 40-yard dash time certainly contributed to that.
Malik Nabers’ Impressive LSU Pro Day Performance
While Nabers didn’t participate in on-field drills or testing at the NFL Combine, he did do the 40-yard dash, vertical leap, and broad jump at his LSU pro day.
Let’s just say the pro day couldn’t have gone much better for the phenom. Nabers absolutely crushed it, recording terrific results in all three events he participated in.
📍 @LSUfootball Pro Day
42 inch vertical for Malik Nabers 👀 pic.twitter.com/1Ud1dxNdg8
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints)
Nabers recorded a 42-inch vertical jump, which is incredibly impressive and would have tied for third-highest at the NFL Combine. Only Carolina Panthers WR Jalen Coker (42.5”) and Miami Dolphins WR Malik Washington (42.5”) did better, and Nabers would’ve tied for third with San Francisco 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall.
Nabers’ broad jump performance of 10’9” was also among the elite at his position.
How Fast Is Nabers?
Nabers ran a blazing 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day. This puts him in the same company as Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. (4.33) and Indianapolis Colts WR Adonai Mitchell (4.34).
Malik Nabers with a u4.35 40-yard dash. 💨
📍 LSU Pro Day pic.twitter.com/ywfy0izFzn
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints)
Anyone who watched Nabers in college wasn’t shocked to see Nabers post a terrific time, as his college film shows his ridiculous speed and quickness.
How Old Is Nabers?
Born on July 28, 2003, Nabers is currently just 21 years old, making him one of the youngest players in the NFL.
Nabers is significantly younger than some other players in the 2024 rookie class, including Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. — all of whom are 24 years old.
Revisiting Nabers’ College Career
Nabers immediately left his mark as a freshman at LSU, recording 28 catches for 417 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman. He played in 11 games and ended up starting for over half the season.
He emerged as the definitive WR1 for the Tigers in 2022. His 1,017 yards marked the 10th time in school history a WR eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, and his battle with Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry was one of the best individual matchups of the season.
#LSU WR Malik Nabers (6-0, 200)
Plays the game with a jetpack on. Explosive and dynamic. Instant acceleration. Professional tackle breaker. pic.twitter.com/hRrvFjn7Kn
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid)
Nabers’ 2022 season was the ramp-up, but in 2023, fueled by the Heisman-caliber rise of QB Jayden Daniels, Nabers made history in Baton Rouge.
In 2023, Nabers caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns while playing alongside Brian Thomas Jr. Nabers was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
He broke LSU’s all-time career receiving yardage record, and his single-season figure placed third in program history behind only Ja’Marr Chase and Josh Reed.
These accomplishments would be impressive at any school, but making history at a verified WR factory like LSU is remarkable.
Now, Nabers is picking up right where he left off in the NFL.