NFL Sports editorial source review ·
Cam Newton: 40 yard time and speed evidence
The reviewed record lists 4.56 seconds. Source setting: compiled draft testing. Read the event notes before comparing that mark with another workout.
Where the time comes from
The historical table lists 4.56 seconds. An NFL retrospective instead cites 4.59 for his best predraft sprint. The reports disagree, so this page retains the table value with that limit rather than calling either mark undisputed.
Speed is only one part of movement
A straight sprint measures elapsed time over a fixed distance. It does not measure top speed during a game, running with the ball or the ability to change direction. A start, surface or timing method can affect a comparison between events.
Carolina selected the Auburn quarterback first overall. At 248 pounds, his size matters when reading the sprint and jump results together. The agility tests add context about changes of direction, which a straight sprint cannot show.
How to compare the record
Compare the same distance, event type and timing method. A campus report and an electronic event result may use different setups. The reviewed sources here do not provide verified split times or a complete position ranking. Converting this mark into miles per hour would hide how acceleration changes during the run.
What to check for this record
The difference between 4.56 and 4.59 is a source conflict, not evidence of an extra run we can reconstruct. Use one identified record when building a comparison. Do not combine a sprint from one report with an assumed date or timing system from another.
Questions readers ask
What do the timing units mean?
Each listed sprint value is elapsed time in seconds over 40 yards. It is not a top speed reading, an agility drill time or a verified split for part of the run.
Does a blank result mean a slow run?
No. A blank means the reviewed source has no recorded time. It cannot establish a failed attempt, a slow run or the reason for a missing result.
Sources and review method
We checked the linked records for this update. Team and school reports can explain the event. Historical tables compile results and may leave fields empty. We keep that distinction visible and do not claim an affiliation with the source publishers.