2025 NFL combine players to watch: Kenneth Grant, Jordan Burch lead top 12
The NFL scouting combine is an annual show of the top college prospects in the country. These players have spent years in college leading up to this spring when they will hear their names called during the NFL draft.
Some prospects shine during athletic testing every year and see their draft stock rise quickly. Last year, wide receiver Xavier Worthy set the combine record in the 40-yard dash and went in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft - something few would've expected prior to the combine.
There are a dozen prospects who could see their stock rise quickly with good performances at the NFL combine. We're excluding edge rusher Abdul Carter, cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, offensive lineman Will Campbell and other projected top-10 picks. They're already very likely to go early so there's only so much their stock can increase with a good showing in Indianapolis.
Here are 12 players to know ahead of the NFL combine:
Players to watch at the 2025 NFL combine
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Grant's teammate Mason Graham is considered one of the top five players in the class but Grant should be considered one of the top prospects at the position as well.
Grant stands 6-foot-3 and around 340 lbs. but has been clocked running at 18.75 mph on GPS tracking data. In 2023, he notably chased down future NFL running back Kaytron Allen in Michigan's game against Penn State.
Michigan has built a reputation of incredible athletes on the defensive line including Rashan Gary, Kwity Paye, Mazi Smith and Kris Jenkins. Grant reportedly shined in the Wolverines' reactive plyo stairs test and that should translate to the jumping drills.
If he can put up similar numbers to what Jenkins did last year at nearly 50 lbs. heavier, Grant could rise in a loaded defensive line class.
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Looking at his measurables, Emmanwori more closely resembles a linebacker than a safety at 6-foot-3 and 227 lbs. He plays like that, too, as he led the team in tackles as a true freshman.
But he could jump up from a second-round pick to a fringe first-round selection with a good performance at the combine. South Carolina coach Shane Beamer told The Athletic last summer that Emmanwori's run close to 23 mph.
He's reportedly cleared 11 feet on the broad jump and 42 inches in the vertical jump. That explosive athleticism packed in near-linebacker size could see him rise up boards despite playing one of the less valued positions.
Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon
The Oregon defensive line will have multiple draft picks in the first couple of rounds between Burch and interior defensive lineman Derrick Harmon. Burch has impressive size at 6-foot-5 and 295 lbs. with fantastic athleticism as well.
Oregon's staff clocked Burch at more than 20 mph on GPS player tracking and say he can hit 35 inches on the vertical jump. He was athletic enough to be used on special teams trick plays this past fall for Oregon.
Because of a deep defensive line class, Burch may not make it all the way to the first round. But he should perform very well at the combine and could work his way to the second round.
Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
Jackson measured in a bit smaller than expected at the Senior Bowl at 6-foot-5 and 273 lbs. and that could drop him from fringe first-round pick to second-round prospect. That should change slightly with a good performance at the combine.
Jackson's been clocked at 20.4 mph on GPS tracking data and cleared 10 feet in the broad jump with a 34-inch vertical. With more time to train for the combine, he should improve on those numbers. That could move him back up to first-round consideration.
Savion Williams, WR, TCU
This wide receiver class lacks the star power of last year's class. Most of the prospects don't project to be the No. 1 option in an offense, so finding opportunities with high-upside picks will be at a premium.
Williams fits that bill. He stands at 6-foot-5 and 225 lbs. with remarkable athleticism for his size. He reportedly hit 10 and a half feet in the broad jump and a 40-inch vertical jump two years ago. With more time to develop, he could post even more explosive numbers. He's hit 22.5 mph on GPS tracking as well.
Williams' main knock is his inconsistent hands. Worthy faced a lesser but similar concern last year but went in the first round after a strong combine. Williams will show out in Indianapolis and that could see him move up to a near sure-fire fourth-round pick with immediate upside as a returner.
Da'Quan Felton, WR, Virginia Tech
Felton's a similar case to Williams. The Virginia Tech receiver stands 6-foot-5 and weighs between 215 and 220 lbs. but averaged nearly 18 yards per reception in 2023.
His production dropped off in 2024 but the athleticism is there. Last year, he ran in the low 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash and hit 36.5 inches in the vertical jump. If he can get under 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Felton could jump from a late-round selection to the fourth round.
Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Revel missed most of the 2024 season after tearing an ACL in practice in mid-September. Now healed, he should put on a show at the combine.
Revel is one of the taller cornerback prospects in the draft, standing 6-foot-3 and 193 lbs. He has long arms and uses them well in press coverage. Injury concerns have him projected to be a fringe first-round pick. A good performance at the combine should see that change.
Revel's track background could see him dip into the 4.3s in the 40-yard dash. He's also likely to clear 11 feet in the broad jump after hitting that mark last summer. That mix of athleticism paired with physicality at the position, even in the run game, could make him one of the first five cornerbacks taken in the draft.
Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Jackson should be a second-round pick after a standout 2024 season. He started the year at left guard but had to take over at tackle following Josh Simmons' season-ending injury against Oregon. He held up very well and could put up athletic numbers to complement the tape.
Jackson stands 6-foot-4 and 320 lbs. and reportedly has 36-inch arms. That arm length would put him around the 95th percentile among all offensive linemen in combine history.
He could break the NFL combine record for the 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash. He was clocked at 1.59 seconds last summer and that'd be the fastest in combine history if he can replicate it. He should also hit 30 inches in the vertical jump and get close to 10 feet in the broad jump.
If he shines at the combine, Jackson could suddenly become a top tackle prospect, which would warrant first-round consideration.
Aireontae Ersery, OL, Minnesota
Ersery should join Jackson as some of the most athletic offensive linemen at the combine. Ersery is a mountain of a prospect at 6-foot-6 and 330 lbs. with an impressive athletic profile.
Ersery reportedly hit 1.52 seconds in the 10-yard split of the 40-yard dash last summer which would comfortably be a combine record. He's been clocked at 18.34 mph on GPS and could hit 28 inches in the vertical jump and nine and a half feet in the broad jump.
After a good showing at the Senior Bowl, Ersery could be an early second-round pick with a record performance at the combine.
Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame
Mills' injury in the College Football Playoff shouldn't keep him from going through drills at the combine. At 6-foot-5 and nearly 300 lbs., he's a remarkable athlete with very good college production.
Mills has reached 20 mph on GPS tracking data multiple times in his college career and could reach 34 inches in the vertical jump. His broad jump should clear nine feet as well.
Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
Florida State had a pair of top-40 picks on defense last year in Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse and his Los Angeles Rams teammate Braden Fiske. Farmer won't go as early as those two players but he should rise up boards with a good combine performance.
Farmer stands 6-foot-3 and 314 lbs. but with 35-inch arms, that'll put him in around the 95th percentile for all defensive linemen (edge rushers included) in combine history. He's nearly reached 20 mph in player tracking data and could have a good showing in the 40-yard dash.
His tape also shows good lateral quickness which means he could do well in multiple drills. Farmer could move up to fourth-round status if he puts together a good combine.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
This is a deep running back class and that makes it hard for players to stand out. Tuten should put on a show, though, as one of the most athletic prospects at the position.
He stands 5-foot-11 and 208 lbs. which is a little on the leaner side for an NFL running back. But his speed should make the difference; Tuten was clocked at 4.32 seconds in the 40-yard dash last summer and reached 23.15 mph in doing so. He's reportedly hit 400 lbs. in the bench press and could reach 40 inches in the vertical jump.
He's built similarly to Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown but should test better at the combine. Before the combine, he'd likely be a late Day 3 selection but could move up a round even in a deep position group.
At the very least, he should have a future as a standout returner.