PULLMAN, Wash. — Colby Humphrey just put the NFL on notice. The Washington State cornerback scorched the turf with a 4.32 40-yard dash Thursday, instantly transforming from a late-round sleeper into one of the most intriguing athletes in the 2026 draft class. With the NFL Draft only 21 days away, Humphrey’s timing couldn’t be better.
The scouts in Pullman didn’t just see a run; they saw a blur. Humphrey’s 4.32-second sprint was the talk of the facility, but he didn’t stop there. He paired that elite speed with a 10-foot-5 broad jump, proving that his explosiveness isn’t limited to a straight line. This performance is the exclamation point on a journey that saw Humphrey grind through Northern Arizona and South Dakota State before landing at Washington State for the 2025 season.
Last year, Humphrey was a vacuum in the secondary. He tallied 54 tackles and two interceptions, showing a physical edge that belies his 5-foot-11 frame. While coaching shifts saw Jimmy Rogers depart for Iowa State and Kirby Moore take the reins at WSU, Humphrey remained a constant force on the field. He swatted away passes and locked down receivers, but it’s his special teams’ utility that might make him a Day 2 lock.
“I knew the speed was there. I’ve been chasing these numbers since I was at NAU. To come out here in front of these scouts and finally put that 4.3 on the board? It feels like the world is finally seeing what I’ve known for years. I’m ready to hit the next level and contribute anywhere a team needs me.”
— Colby Humphrey, Washington State CB
The geography of Humphrey’s career is already playing a role in his professional future. His roots in Arizona earned him an immediate invite to the Arizona Cardinals’ local day. It’s a homecoming opportunity that allows the franchise to look at a prospect who already understands the desert heat. However, they aren’t the only ones watching. NFL insider Aaron Wilson reports that the Seattle Seahawks have heavy interest in keeping the speedster in the Pacific Northwest.
Humphrey is drawing natural comparisons to former Cougar standout Jaylen Watson. Watson, now a key piece of the Los Angeles Rams secondary after a successful stint in Kansas City, paved the way for WSU defensive backs to be taken seriously as physical, pro-ready assets. Humphrey offers even more raw speed than Watson did coming out, making him a potential nightmare for offensive coordinators in the vertical passing game. Expect his phone to stay ringing as teams finalize their boards for the April 23rd kickoff.
