The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine has officially kicked off, signaling the start of the highly anticipated draft season!
This week, 329 NFL prospects are showcasing their skills in Indianapolis, hoping to elevate their draft positions. While the players began arriving at Lucas Oil Stadium earlier in the week, the drills that excite fans the most commenced on Thursday.
Here’s a brief overview of the schedule for each position, featuring workouts such as the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, and 3-cone drill:
- Thursday, Feb. 27: Defensive line and linebackers
- Friday, Feb. 28: Defensive backs and tight ends
- Saturday, March 1: Quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers
- Sunday, March 2: Offensive line
However, not every potential draft pick will participate in these drills. For instance, Shedeur Sanders from Colorado has opted to wait until his pro day to throw. His teammate, Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner, also announced he won’t be showcasing his skills at the combine.
One burning question lingers: Will any records be shattered this year? Last year, Xavier Worthy, now a receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, clocked the fastest 40-yard dash at 4.21 seconds.
Standouts Safety
Nick Emmanwori emerged as a standout at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, redefining expectations for safeties with his remarkable performance and measurements. The South Carolina strong safety excelled in every category, including hand size, arm length, composite size, explosion, and speed.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 220 pounds, Emmanwori sprinted a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, making him the second-fastest safety, trailing only Kansas State’s Marques Sigle.
The Best Fashion Moments
Demetrius Knight II, a linebacker from South Carolina, made a statement beyond his athletic performance by wearing custom-made Adidas cleats featuring a Scrooge McDuck theme during his 40-yard dash.
With a time of 4.58 seconds, he finished among the top third in his position for the drill, proving that style can accompany speed.
The Top 40-Yard Dash Times
Big Fellas Running
Pearce’s time outpaced Super Bowl LIX champions Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown, showcasing impressive speed for a big man.
Derrick Harmon, a 313-pound defensive tackle from Oregon, also impressed with a time of 4.95 seconds, drawing comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones.
Dashing Defensive Backs
Maxwell Hairston recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. The defensive back from the University of Kentucky clocked a 4.3 on his first attempt and improved on that in his second run. Coming off a junior season hampered by a shoulder injury, this performance could significantly enhance his draft prospects.
The Longest Broad Jumps
Hairston’s standout moment came in the broad jump, where he led all participants with an impressive leap of 10 feet, 11 inches, demonstrating his exceptional technique.
Stay tuned for more updates as the combine unfolds.
