If you weren't around in the late '80s or early '90s to see Raghib "Rocket" Ismail play, it’s hard to describe the sheer panic he caused for opposing coaches. He was basically a human cheat code before video games had actual cheat codes. Whenever he touched the ball at Notre Dame, the entire stadium held its breath because they knew—honestly, everyone knew—he could be gone in a blink.
The obsession with the Rocket Ismail 40 time isn't just about a number on a stopwatch. It’s about the mythology of a guy who was so fast he skipped the NFL Draft initially to become the highest-paid player in football up in Canada. People still argue about his actual speed today, comparing him to modern speedsters like Tyreek Hill or Xavier Worthy.
The Number Everyone Remembers (and the Ones They Don’t)
Most official records and scouting reports from back in the day settle on a specific figure: 4.28 seconds.
That’s the "official" Rocket Ismail 40 time usually cited by the NFL and sports historians. But if you talk to guys who were in South Bend or in those early Raiders camps, the numbers start to get a bit wilder. I've heard 4.21 mentioned in hushed tones. Some swear he clocked a 4.12 in a practice session under Lou Holtz.
Is that realistic? Probably not. Hand-timed 40s from that era are notoriously generous, often shave a tenth of a second or more off what an electronic timer would show. But even if we stick to the 4.28, you have to realize that was on grass or old-school AstroTurf, wearing shoes that weren't nearly as advanced as the carbon-plated cleats guys use at the Combine now.
Speed Beyond the Forty
To really understand how fast Rocket was, you have to look at his track credentials. The 40-yard dash is a football-specific drill, but track times don't lie.
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- 100 Meters: 10.20 seconds.
- 55 Meters (Indoor): 6.07 seconds.
He didn't just run these times in high school; he was doing this at the collegiate level. In 1991, he finished second in the 55-meter sprint at the NCAA Indoor Championships. That is world-class acceleration. When you see that 6.07-second mark in the 55m, it makes those legendary sub-4.2 stories feel a lot more plausible.
Why the Rocket Ismail 40 Time Still Matters in 2026
We live in an era where everyone is "fast." Every year, some kid from a Power 5 school runs a 4.32 and we all nod and say, "Yeah, he’s got wheels." But Ismail was different. He had what scouts call "functional speed."
Some guys run a fast 40 but can't play fast. Rocket was the opposite. He looked even faster in pads. If he got a step on a cornerback, the play was over. There was no "catching up" to him.
The Tyreek Hill Comparison
Everyone wants to know: would he be faster than Tyreek Hill? It’s the ultimate "bar talk" debate. Hill's recorded 40 time is around 4.29, which is nearly identical to the Rocket Ismail 40 time of 4.28.
However, Rocket was doing it at about 175-180 pounds. He was a bit leaner than Hill, who carries more muscle mass. But in terms of pure, raw "I’m going to run past everyone on the field" energy, they are the same archetype. Ismail was the blueprint for the modern "scat-back" and deep-threat receiver that dominates the league today.
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The Myth vs. The Reality
Let’s be real for a second. In the late '80s, timing was... let's say "flexible." Coaches wanted their stars to look like superheroes. If a scout's thumb was a little slow on the stopwatch, nobody was going to complain.
But you can’t fake what he did on the field. Against Michigan in 1989, he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Two. In one game. Against a top-ranked team. You don't do that because the scout has a slow thumb. You do that because you are moving at a velocity that the human brain isn't calibrated to track.
Breaking Down the Mechanics
Rocket had a very specific running style. He didn't have the long, gliding strides of a Randy Moss. He had a high-frequency turnover—his feet moved like pistons. This allowed him to change direction without losing much speed.
- The First 10 Yards: This is where he won. His "10-yard split" was likely in the 1.4-second range, which is elite even by today's standards.
- Top-End Maintenance: Unlike some sprinters who die out at the 30-yard mark, Rocket kept accelerating through the finish line.
- The "Wait, What?" Factor: Defenders often took bad angles because they simply didn't realize how quickly he was closing the gap.
Actionable Insights for Speed Enthusiasts
If you're looking at the Rocket Ismail 40 time because you want to get faster yourself, there are a few things to take away from his career.
First, track and field is the foundation. Ismail didn't just "play football"; he was a disciplined sprinter. If you want a faster 40, you need to train like a track athlete, focusing on explosive starts and dorsiflexion.
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Second, understand that weight matters. Rocket stayed light. He knew that his "superpower" was his speed-to-weight ratio. Adding 20 pounds of muscle might have made him "sturdier," but it probably would have robbed him of that 4.28 twitch.
Lastly, look at his film. Don't just look at the stopwatch. Watch how he uses his eyes to set up blocks. Speed is a weapon, but it’s a lot more effective when you know how to point it.
To truly appreciate what he did, go back and watch the 1991 Orange Bowl or his highlights with the Toronto Argonauts. The numbers tell you he was fast; the film tells you he was a legend.
Next Steps for You:
Check out the archived track results from the 1991 NCAA Indoors. Compare Ismail's 55m times against current NFL players who ran track in college. It gives you a much clearer picture of how "The Rocket" would stack up against today's elite speedsters without the "hand-timed" bias of the 40-yard dash.