Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. made a big impression at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Saturday, and not just for his blazing speed.
Upon learning he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds, the fastest at his position, Washington openly wept at Lucas Oil Stadium. Even after composing himself, the Utica, New York native burst out crying again when approached by NFL Network’s Stacey Dales.
‘He broke down in tears again with me,’ Dales told her NFL Network co-hosts. ‘He said, ‘I’m so emotional, man, I’ve worked my whole life for this.’
Dales then remarked that moments like this show ‘why the combine is so important.’
Washington did not address the financial implications of his performance, but they are considerable.
Whereas a player drafted in the fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh round can expect to earn around $4.5 million over the first three years of their rookie deal, a third-round pick gets roughly $2 million more, according to the rookie salary scale.
Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. made a big impression at the combine with a 4.33 in the 40
Upon learning he ran the fastest 40-yard dash at his position, Washington openly wept
Washington also registered an impressive broad jump of 10ft 8in at Lucas Oil Stadium
In addition to his impressive time in the 40-yard dash, Washington also registered an impressive broad jump of 10ft 8in and a 39-inch vertical.
Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love had the second-fastest 40-yard dash among running backs at 4.36 seconds and Wake Forest’s Demond Clairborne had a 4.37-second time, but nobody else was particularly close to Washington.
Washington began his college career at Buffalo before transferring to New Mexico State and then on to Arkansas, where he had 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns on 167 carries in 2025. Washington’s 6.4 yards-per-carry average ranked 13th in the country among running backs with more than 100 carries on the season.
Rather than teasing Washington for his emotional display, fans were supportive online by recognizing his hard work.
‘That moment hits different,’ one commenter wrote on X. ‘[All] that grind paid off.’
‘That’s not just a 4.33,’ another wrote, adding, ‘that’s years of sacrifice paying off.’
