Isaiah Bond, a promising wide receiver, took center stage at the NFL Scouting Combine, showcasing his speed in the highly anticipated 40-yard dash. Bond had set high expectations for himself, predicting he would surpass Xavier Worthy’s combine record of 4.21 seconds. Despite his aspirations, Bond ran an officially timed 4.39 seconds, securing a tie for the ninth-fastest time with Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel.
Leading up to the combine, Bond's best training time was an impressive 4.23 seconds. His combine performance included two unofficially timed runs of 4.40 and 4.41 seconds. While not meeting his prediction, Bond's speed remains noteworthy, especially considering his clocked speed of over 22 mph against UTSA this past season. Notably, seven of the top 10 receiver times at the combine were achieved by players from the SEC.
Bond's ranking as the 10th wide receiver on Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest Big Board for ESPN underscores his potential. His teammate from Texas, Matthew Golden, impressed with an official 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Meanwhile, Tennessee's Dont'e Thornton Jr. recorded the second-fastest time at 4.30 seconds, and Florida's Chimere Dike along with Virginia Tech's Jaylin Lane tied for third at 4.34 seconds.
Reflecting on his performance and capabilities, Bond confidently stated:
"What separates me from the rest of the draft class is the sheer speed. There's not a receiver that has the speed and capabilities that I have. It's not just speed; I'm a complete wide receiver. I have amazing routes. If you watch the tape, you'll see that." – Isaiah Bond
Bond's determination and confidence are reminiscent of Xavier Worthy, a former Texas wide receiver who was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 28th pick of the 2024 NFL draft. Worthy's record-breaking performance set a high bar for aspiring wide receivers like Bond.
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