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Oregon's Tez Johnson Breaks Silence on Unexpected 40-Yard Dash Time at NFL Combine

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 9:44 PM ET

At the 2025 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, which didn't help his draft stock.

At the combine, Johnson was measured at 5-foot-10, 154 pounds, making him the lightest player in the event's history. If he ran a faster 40, that would've erased some concerns about his frame.

Oregon held its pro day on Tuesday. It would've made sense for Johnson to rerun his 40. However, he opted not to. The WR believes his film will show his performance at the combine won't determine whether he makes it in the NFL.

Tez Johnson on not running 40-yard dash at Pro Day:

"You can watch my tape and see that can't nobody catch me. I don't think the 40 really defines you as a football player. It just shows that you can run a fast time ... That was my time. It says, 'Tez Johnson: 4.51.' That's what…
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) March 18, 2025

"You can watch my tape and see that can't nobody catch me," Johnson said, per Underdog NFL's X account. "I don't think the 40 really defines you as a football player. It just shows that you can run a fast time. ... That was my time. It says, 'Tez Johnson 4.51.' That's what I ran."

Other WRs who didn't run a fast 40 have still succeeded in the NFL. Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua posted a time of 4.57 seconds at the 2023 combine. In his first two seasons with the Rams, the former BYU star has made one Pro Bowl, earned a second-team All-Pro nod and set the rookie record for receiving yards (1,486 in 17 games).

Johnson's size and speed didn't stop him from producing impressive numbers at Oregon. In two seasons with the Ducks, he had 169 receptions for 2,080 yards and 20 touchdown catches.

WR-needy teams are still interested in Johnson. Per James Crepea of the Oregonian, the wideout said he has a top-30 visit scheduled with the Cleveland Browns.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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