Prior to the 2026 NFL Combine, significant anticipation surrounded Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Following his showing on Friday, he not only met but vastly surpassed those high hopes, establishing new records and positioning himself uniquely among present and past NFL legends through his impressive on-field movement evaluations.
Commencing with his 40-yard dash, Sadiq posted a time of 4.39 seconds, securing the top spot among all tight ends at the combine; the second quickest tight end recorded a 4.51. This performance marked the swiftest time for his position group since at least 2003, even outpacing the 4.43 seconds registered by acclaimed LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. at the 2014 combine.
At the time of his combine, Beckham weighed 198 pounds, whereas Sadiq carries an additional 42 pounds, weighing in at 241 pounds.
To offer further context, Sadiq’s peak velocity reached 23.24 miles per hour, as documented by NFL Next Gen Stats. This speed precisely matched the top acceleration achieved by Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023. Gibbs is broadly considered among the NFL’s premier running backs, celebrated for his explosive, long-gain potential with the Detroit Lions.
Additionally, Sadiq’s 10-yard split time of 1.54 seconds, which also ranked first among tight ends in 2026, surpassed the record set by DeSean Jackson. Jackson was a noted speedster at wide receiver for more than ten years, consistently dismantling opposing secondaries and reveling in his ability to outrun defenders.
Julio Jones, another prominent NFL wide receiver, is renowned for his prowess in contested catch situations.
While Jones recorded a vertical leap of 38.5 inches, Sadiq’s incredible jump was five inches greater, reaching an impressive 43.5 inches. Furthermore, Sadiq’s performance in the broad jump saw him narrowly surpass former Houston Texans standout wide receiver Andre Johnson by a single inch.
In essence, Sadiq outshone numerous elite NFL running backs and wide receivers with his outstanding display at the 2026 NFL Combine on Friday.
Should his remarkable showing in Indianapolis not elevate his draft standing, especially considering reports of exceptional team interviews, it’s hard to imagine what else could.
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This piece was first published by Ducks Wire: Kenyon Sadiq’s exceptional day backed by astonishing statistics
