2025 NFL combine highlights: James Pearce Jr. leads DL in 40-yard dash, Kain Medrano impresses
The 2025 NFL combine is here, and even with several top prospects opting not to participate, plenty of stars took the field on Thursday in hopes to continue a climb up the NFL draft board.
Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, a presumptive top-10 pick, did not participate in drills on Thursday afternoon. Arguably the best defensive lineman in the class, Graham had that title challenged by others.
Texas Tech's Shemar Stewart predictably put on a show as one of the best athletes at the combine. Arkansas' Landon Jackson was right with him or ahead of him in the jumps.
The defensive line as a whole is the deepest position of the draft with players at interior defensive line, defensive end and edge rusher who will run well at the combine and hear their names called early in April's draft.
A stronger-than-usual linebacker class was also under the spotlight for drills on Thursday. Alabama's Jihaad Campbell cemented his status as the top pure off-ball linebacker in the draft with a great showing in the 40-yard dash and other drills.
Here are some highlights and more from Thursday's combine workouts.
Demetrius Knight Jr.'s Scrooge McDuck cleats
The South Carolina linebacker was one of the faster linebackers at the combine on Thursday. His 4.58-second time was notable, but even more so were the cleats he wore when running it: A pair of Adidas with Scrooge McDuck on the sides.
Knight Jr. credits his wife with finding them.
Kain Medrano sets combine's fastest 40-yard dash time
The UCLA Bruins linebacker just edged out James Pearce Jr. for the fastest time of the day, clocking in at 4.46 seconds. He was the fastest at the position and one of just two linebackers to clock in under 4.5 seconds on the day.
Georgia LB Smael Mondon sets standard in the broad jump
Mondon is one of many Bulldogs in Indianapolis for the combine. He made his mark in the broad jump, hitting 10 feet, 10 inches to lead all off-ball linebackers.
That's an exceptional jump for the position, ranking in the 96th percentile for linebackers and 95th percentile for all positions since 1999.
Boise State's Ahmad Hassanein fires up coach Chuck Smith for hoop drill
Hassanein's one of many defensive linemen hoping to improve his draft stock at the combine, including in the hoop drill. Baltimore Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith was assisting in the drill and spent most of the day firing prospects up before starting the drill.
Hassanein took his chance to return the favor and yelled encouragement to Smith while clapping before getting set for the drill.
James Pearce Jr. sets fastest 40-yard dash
The Tennessee edge rusher ran his first 40-yard dash attempt in 4.50 seconds, the fastest of the day among all defensive linemen.
He went even faster on his second run, hitting 4.47 seconds, which puts him in the 97th percentile among edge rushers since 1999.
Shemar Stewart shines in jumps
The Texas A&M edge rusher was expected to put on a show during the first day of the combine and has delivered.
He has the second-best vertical jump of the day so far behind Landon Jackson at 40 inches. He later hit 10 feet, 11 inches in the broad jump.
That broad jump puts him in the 99th percentile of all defensive lineman and in the 96th percentile among all positions since 1999.
Landon Jackson hits elite vertical jump
Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson came into Indianapolis as a fringe first-round prospect. His vertical jump could boost his stock after he hit 40 1/2 inches, putting him in the 97th percentile among edge rushers and 96th among all athletes since 1999.
Ty Robinson runs fastest 40-yard dash in DL
Nebraska's defensive tackle had the fastest run of the first position group at 4.83 seconds. That's in the 95th percentile of all interior defensive linemen since 1999. Robinson measures in at 6-foot-5 and 288 pounds.
SMU's Jared Harrison-Hunte and Georgia's Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins tied for the fastest 10-yard split at 1.69 seconds.
First 40-yard dash of the NFL combine
Maryland defensive lineman Tommy Akingbesote started the combine off at the 40-yard dash. He ran the event in 5.17 seconds to kick things off.
Top DT prospects pass 34 inches in arm length
Arm length isn't as important for interior defensive linemen compared to other positions, most notably offensive tackle, but some prospects are measuring in well at the combine this morning.
Derrick Harmon (Oregon), Darius Alexander (Toledo) and Alfred Collins (Texas) are all considered in the top 10 at the position and measured above 34 inches in arm length. Collins had the longest at 34 5/8 inches, putting him well above average for the position. Harmon measured at 34 3/8 inches and Alexander at 34.
Three defensive tackles measured in with 35-inch arms: Florida State's Joshua Farmer, Texas' Vernon Broughton and Iowa's Yahya Black. That would put all of them among the longest since 1999.
Travis Hunter will not participate in NFL combine drills
Travis Hunter, Heisman Trophy winner and one of the top NFL draft prospects this year, will pass on doing any on-field exercises as he preps for the NFL draft.
How to watch the NFL combine today
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 26
- TV channel: NFL Network
- Live stream: Fubo
NFL Network will carry the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine from Thursday through Sunday.
For those who want to live stream the event, Fubo carries NFL Network. Fubo also comes with a free trial.
Watch the 2025 NFL scouting combine with Fubo (free trial)
What time are NFL combine workouts today?
- Start time: 3 p.m. ET
The position groups take the field in Indianapolis at 3 p.m. ET.
NFL combine schedule
Here is how the schedule of events looks for combine week in Indianapolis:
Placekickers, defensive linemen, linebackers:
- Media availability session, kicking workout: Wednesday, Feb. 26
- Measurements and on-field workout: Thursday, Feb. 27
- Bench press, departure: Friday, Feb. 28
Defensive backs, tight ends:
- Media availability session: Thursday, Feb. 27
- Measurements and on-field workout: Friday, Feb. 28
- Bench press, departure: Saturday, March 1
Running backs, quarterbacks, wide receivers:
- Media availability session: Friday, Feb. 28
- Measurements and on-field workout: Saturday, March 1
- Bench press, departure: Sunday, March 2
Offensive linemen:
- Media availability session: Saturday, March 1
- Measurements and on-field workout: Sunday, March 2
- Bench press, departure: Monday, March 3
Paste BN Sport's Nick Brinkerhoff contributed to this piece.