The Stage is Set: NFL Scouting Combine 2025
The annual NFL Scouting Combine is a spectacle of athleticism and ambition, where the best college football players showcase their skills to impress NFL scouts and executives. This year, the combine kicks off on Thursday, with four days of rigorous testing designed to evaluate the physical and mental capabilities of the top prospects. While the combine isn’t a definitive predictor of future success, it has a rich history of memorable moments that have become part of NFL lore. Here, we revisit some of the most iconic performances from past combines.
Deion Sanders: The Lightning Bolt (1989)
One of the most legendary moments in combine history came from Deion Sanders in 1989. Despite being one of the top picks in that year’s draft, Sanders was initially reluctant to participate in the 40-yard dash. However, under pressure, he finally agreed to run. According to Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys executive, Sanders clocked an astonishing 4.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash. His speed was so impressive that he immediately bolted to the locker room, and it is rumored that he even ran to a limousine waiting outside the Hoosier Dome, asking to be taken to the airport. The Atlanta Falcons, recognizing his exceptional talent, selected Sanders with the fifth overall pick that year.
Tom Brady: The Underdog’s Journey (2000)
In 2000, Tom Brady’s performance at the combine was far from spectacular. His 40-yard dash time of 5.28 seconds was among the slowest for a quarterback, and his vertical jump and broad jump ranked in the third percentile. His physique, captured in widely mocked shirtless photos, did little to impress. Yet, Brady’s unimpressive combine performance was a significant factor in his selection as a sixth-round pick. Despite these initial setbacks, Brady went on to become one of the most decorated players in NFL history, winning seven Super Bowls and cementing his status as a legend.
Stephen Paea: The Bench Press Beast (2011)
Stephen Paea’s performance at the 2011 combine was nothing short of extraordinary. A video of him bench pressing 225 pounds for 45 reps went viral, leading to high expectations. At the combine, Paea shattered the previous record by completing 49 reps, lifting a total of 11,025 pounds in less than a minute. This display of strength was a significant boost to his draft stock, and he was subsequently selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round. Paea’s record in the bench press remains unchallenged, making it one of the most memorable moments in combine history.
Aaron Donald: The Defensive Dynamo (2014)
Before becoming a defensive tackle for the ages, Aaron Donald made a lasting impression at the 2014 combine. His 4.68-second 40-yard dash and 7.11-second 3-cone drill time were the best among defensive tackles. He also recorded 35 bench press reps and a 9-foot, 8-inch broad jump, all of which helped him rise up the draft boards. The Rams, recognizing his potential, selected him in the first round. Donald’s combine performance was a crucial stepping stone in his journey to becoming one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players.
Byron Jones: The Broad Jump Sensation (2015)
Byron Jones’ combine performance in 2015 was a game-changer. Despite rehabilitating from shoulder surgery, Jones decided to participate in a few drills to prove his fitness. His broad jump of 12 feet, 3 inches not only broke the previous combine record by eight inches but also unofficially set a new world record. This remarkable performance elevated Jones from a lesser-known prospect to one of the top cornerbacks in the draft. The Dallas Cowboys, recognizing his potential, selected him with their first-round pick.
Shaquem Griffin: The One-Handed Wonder (2018)
Shaquem Griffin’s story is one of resilience and determination. Born with amniotic band syndrome, Griffin had his left hand amputated at age four. Despite this, he excelled in college, earning AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2016. At the 2018 combine, Griffin’s performance silenced doubters. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash for a linebacker in 15 years, clocking in at 4.38 seconds. Even more impressive was his bench press, where he completed 20 reps using a prosthetic. The Seattle Seahawks, recognizing his potential, selected Griffin in the fifth round, making him the first one-handed player to be drafted in the NFL.
Jordan Davis: The Big Man with Speed (2022)
Jordan Davis, a 341-pound defensive tackle, defied expectations at the 2022 combine. He ran a 4.78-second 40-yard dash, making him just the third 330-plus-pound player to run a 40 under five seconds. This remarkable feat broke the record for the fastest 40 by a 330-pound player by 0.14 seconds. Davis’ performance proved that even the biggest players can move with agility and speed, solidifying his position as a top prospect in the draft.
Quarterback Dominance: Bryce Young and Joe Milton (2023 and 2024)
In 2023, Bryce Young, a quarterback from Alabama, had a standout combine performance. He ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, the fourth-fastest ever for a quarterback. He also set new records for the vertical jump (40.5 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 9 inches), earning a perfect relative athletic score (RAS). Young’s performance solidified his status as a top-10 pick, and he was ultimately selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick.
In 2024, Joe Milton, a quarterback from Michigan and Tennessee, continued the tradition of quarterback dominance at the combine. Known for his strong arm, Milton tied Josh Allen’s record for the fastest throw in combine history, recording a 62 mph pass. He followed up with a series of throws that traveled over 70 yards, drawing oohs and ahhs from the crowd. Milton’s performance at the combine further solidified his position as a top prospect, setting the stage for a promising NFL career.
Xavier Worthy: The Speed Demon (2024)
Xavier Worthy, a wide receiver from Texas, put on a breathtaking performance at the 2024 combine. He entered the event as a candidate to run the fastest 40-yard dash, and he delivered. His first run of 4.25 seconds just missed the record set by John Ross in 2017. Undeterred, Worthy decided to go for the record, risking a worse time. His second run was initially recorded as 4.22 seconds, but after a few moments, the official time was announced: 4.21 seconds. Worthy’s record-breaking performance was celebrated by his peers and scouts alike, solidifying his status as a top prospect in the 2024 draft.
These unforgettable moments at the NFL Scouting Combine not only showcase the incredible athleticism of these players but also highlight the unpredictability and excitement of the draft process. As the 2025 combine gets underway, fans and scouts alike will be eager to see which prospects will step up and create their own piece of combine history.
