Missouri cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. cemented his status as one of the most explosive athletes in the 2026 draft class, lighting up the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium with a blistering 4.32-second 40-yard dash.
The former Clemson transfer, who returned to his home state to anchor the Tigers' secondary, delivered the moment of Friday’s defensive back workouts, likely catapulting his stock from a Day 3 hopeful into the early-round conversation.
Here's more on his feat from Indianapolis that will have him shooting up draft boards.
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Toriano Pride Jr. 40 Time
Pride Jr. clocked an official 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27.
"I told you, I needed it."@MizzouFootball CB Toriano Pride Jr. knew he could improve his time. He ended up with a 4.32u, best of the Combine so far.
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ep26VTxZe7
— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2026
The time was the fastest recorded among all defensive backs during the Friday workouts. This performance is widely seen as a significant boost to his draft stock, as scouts had previously noted his need to showcase elite speed and athleticism to move into early-round consideration for the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Toriano Pride Jr. Draft Projections
Before his performance at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Pride Jr. was widely viewed by analysts as a potential Day 3 pick or even an undrafted free agent. However, his workout has significantly altered that outlook.
Analysts noted that while he had solid tape from his time at Clemson and Missouri, he lacked a "defining trait" to separate himself from other SEC corners. By clocking a 4.32-second 40-yard dash -- the fastest of all defensive backs in the 2026 Combine -- he has provided that trait.
Now, he is projected to go in the fourth or fifth round.
MORE:40-yard dash tracker
Fastest 40-Yard Dashes in NFL Combine History
Pride Jr.'s 4.32-second dash puts him in elite territory, though others in NFL history have pushed the clock even lower. Since 1999, when electronic timing became the standard, only a select group of athletes have dipped below the 4.25-second mark.
Here are the 10 fastest 40-yard dash times in NFL Scouting Combine history:
Rank Player Position School Year Time (Seconds)
1 Xavier Worthy WR Texas 2024 4.21
2 John Ross WR Washington 2017 4.22
3 Kalon Barnes CB Baylor 2022 4.23
T-4 Chris Johnson RB East Carolina 2008 4.24
T-4 Rondel Menendez WR Eastern Kentucky 1999 4.24
T-6 DJ Turner II CB Michigan 2023 4.26
T-6 Tariq Woolen CB UTSA 2022 4.26
T-6 Dri Archer RB Kent State 2014 4.26
T-9 Marquise Goodwin WR Texas 2013 4.27
T-9 Henry Ruggs III WR Alabama 2020 4.27
MORE:NFL Combine live measurements
Toriano Pride Jr. Combine Performance
Pride Jr. delivered the performance of his career at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, vaulting himself from a fringe prospect into the national spotlight.
Drill Result
40-Yard Dash 4.32 seconds
10-Yard Split 1.48 seconds
Vertical Jump 38.5"
Broad Jump 10'9"
Bench Press 14 reps
A 4.32 time places Pride in the 95th percentile of all NFL cornerbacks. In a league that increasingly prioritizes man-to-man coverage and vertical speed, this number alone likely secures his spot as a Round 4 or Round 5 selection.
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