Each year, the NFL Combine becomes the biggest stage for top college prospects across the country to show off their athleticism in front of all 32 NFL teams. Each team sends scouts to review and analyze these prospects ahead of the draft.
This is a huge opportunity for college football players to increase their draft stock with strong performances or potentially lower their draft if players cannot show their best on the big stage.
There were quite a few historic performances that put certain prospects on notice.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles had an impressive combine. Styles ran the fastest linebacker time of the day with an official time of 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which is incredible considering he is 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds.
He also had the highest vertical jump in combine history for a linebacker, jumping nearly 44 inches, which is an inch higher than anyone has ever done. It was safe to say that even before the combine, Styles was a top-20 pick, but after this performance, the top five seems more in reach.
Another top performer was Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. He was already a top-tier prospect going into the combine and his performance did not hurt his stock.
His 4.36-second 40-yard dash speed was no surprise for anyone familiar with him playing at Notre Dame this past year.
Despite being a running back, Love chose to do the wide receiver drills as well. Love showed that he is not a normal running back prospect, as he can be used in the receiving game for offense. It is often said that a running back is not the most valuable position a team can draft, but Love might just be an exception, as he could be drafted in the top five.
The final top prospect that put on a historic performance is Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash time in the history of the tight end position, clocking in at 4.39 seconds.
This is absolutely blistering speed for someone who is 6-foot-3 and over 240 pounds. He also had a 43.5-inch vertical jump, which was the second-highest jump ever at the combine. Sadiq was already an almost guaranteed first-round selection, but after this combine, he might even go into the top 10.
One prospect that significantly increased his draft stock with his performance is Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green, a 6-foot-6, 227-pound quarterback who ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, the second fastest speed a quarterback has ever run. He also had the highest vertical jump any quarterback has ever had by a full three inches, in addition to the farthest broad jump any quarterback has ever had.
Green is not considered to be a top prospect because the quarterback position is about much more than just raw athleticism. Many analysts note that in Arkansas, Green did not put on the best tape of being able to navigate the pocket and throw the ball accurately downfield, and that showed during the throwing part of the combine. This is why he is not likely to be picked in the first two rounds.
With the 2026 NFL scouting combine over, the fans eyes turn to the April 23 draft in Pittsburgh.
