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The NFL’s Ultimate Pre-Draft Evaluation Event
The NFL Scouting Combine is the premier evaluation event for draft-eligible college football players, offering NFL GMs, coaches, and scouts a centralized opportunity to assess prospects through a comprehensive series of medical, mental, and physical tests. Held annually in Indianapolis, Indiana, this invitation-only event determines how players stack up against the league’s elite draft prospects in a standardized setting.
The Combine serves as a proving ground—a place where players can confirm their on-field dominance, answer lingering questions, and even reshape their draft stock with a standout performance. While game tape remains the most critical factor in an NFL team’s scouting process, the Combine allows evaluators to verify athletic ability, injury history, and football intelligence before making multimillion-dollar draft decisions.
Each year, approximately 300 of the nation’s top prospects receive an exclusive invite to participate. But what happens in Indianapolis can either solidify a player’s first-round projection or expose weaknesses that push them down the draft board.
2025 NFL Scouting Combine Schedule
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, INDates: February 27 – March 2, 2025
Date | Position Groups | Start Time (ET) | TV Coverage |
Thursday, Feb 27 | Defensive Linemen & Linebackers | 3 PM ET | NFL Network |
Friday, Feb 28 | Defensive Backs & Tight Ends | 3 PM ET | NFL Network |
Saturday, Mar 1 | Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers & Running Backs | 1 PM ET | NFL Network |
Sunday, Mar 2 | Offensive Linemen | 1 PM ET | NFL Network |
The four-day event features measurable testing, on-field positional drills, and interviews that help teams assess how prospects handle pressure, adapt to coaching, and respond to high-stakes evaluations.
Why the NFL Scouting Combine Matters
The NFL Combine is more than a workout session—it’s an intense, highly scrutinized evaluation process that can reshape a player’s draft stock. Every drill, interview, and medical check holds weight.
Medical Evaluations: Teams gather critical data on injuries, surgeries, and long-term health concerns.
Athletic Testing: Prospects compete in key drills that quantify speed, explosiveness, agility, and strength.
Team Interviews: Teams conduct 15-minute interviews to evaluate football IQ, personality, and character.
On-Field Workouts: Players participate in position-specific drills to showcase technique, footwork, and movement skills.
For some players, a dominant performance can propel them into the first round. For others, a poor showing may raise red flags that push them down draft boards.
2025 NFL Combine: Updated Performance Metrics & Records
Each year, prospects aim to break records and make history at the Combine. Here’s a look at some of the most important drills and the top all-time performers in each category.
40-Yard Dash
Importance: The premier speed test, crucial for skill positions like wide receivers, defensive backs, and running backs.
Top All-Time Performers:
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas (2024) – 4.21 seconds
John Ross, WR, Washington (2017) – 4.22 seconds
Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor (2022) – 4.23 seconds
Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina (2008) – 4.24 seconds
10-Yard Split
Importance: Measures initial burst and acceleration, critical for pass rushers, running backs, and linebackers.
Top All-Time Performers:
Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina (2008) – 1.40 seconds
Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama (2020) – 1.43 seconds
Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia (2016) – 1.43 seconds
Vertical Jump
Importance: A key indicator of lower-body explosiveness, useful for WRs, DBs, and pass rushers.
Top All-Time Performers:
Chris Conley, WR, Georgia (2015) – 45.00 inches
Donald Washington, CB, Ohio State (2009) – 45.00 inches
Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut (2015) – 44.50 inches
Bench Press (225 lbs Reps)
Importance: Tests upper-body strength and endurance, crucial for linemen and linebackers.
Top All-Time Performers:
Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State (2011) – 49 reps
Mitch Petrus, OL, Arkansas (2010) – 45 reps
Mike Kudla, DL, Ohio State (2006) – 45 reps
Bringing It All Together: The Road to the NFL Draft
While the NFL Combine isn’t the final say, it provides one of the last major opportunities for prospects to boost their draft stock ahead of Pro Days and private workouts.
A historic performance can skyrocket a player into the first round.
A poor showing can force teams to reevaluate a prospect’s tape and long-term potential.
Medical evaluations often carry more weight than the drills themselves.
At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, all eyes will be on Indianapolis as teams search for the next franchise cornerstone. With the NFL Draft fast approaching, the Combine serves as a critical turning point in the journey to professional football.
Exclusive coverage of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is available on NFL Network, NFL.com, NFL Now, and NFL Mobile.