March 3, Sunday 2025: The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, brought together hundreds of future NFL players for four days of intense evaluations. From interviews and measurements to on-field drills and athletic testing, the event provided a critical platform for prospects to showcase their skills ahead of the NFL Draft. While some players solidified their draft stock with standout performances, others left scouts with more questions than answers. Here’s a breakdown of the top winners and losers from this year’s combine.
Winners
1. WR Matthew Golden (Texas)
Golden stole the spotlight among wide receivers with a blazing 4.29-second 40-yard dash, the fastest of the weekend. His 1.49-second 10-yard split further highlighted his explosiveness. While he only participated in the 40-yard dash, his performance was enough to elevate his draft stock, potentially pushing him into the top half of the first round.
2. Edge Landon Jackson (Arkansas)
Jackson entered the combine as a top-50 prospect but may have cemented himself as a first-round pick. At 6-foot-6 and 264 pounds, he showcased elite athleticism with a 40.5-inch vertical jump (best among edge rushers) and a 10-foot-9 broad jump (second-best). His combination of size and explosiveness makes him a tantalizing prospect for NFL teams.
3. CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)
Hairston clocked a 4.28-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time at the combine, silencing doubts about his speed. He also posted impressive marks in the vertical jump (39.5 inches) and broad jump (10-foot-9), solidifying his status as a potential second-round pick.
4. S Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina)
Emmanwori lived up to the hype as one of the most athletic defensive backs in combined history. His size, speed, and production make him a lock for the first round, even in a draft class where safeties are often undervalued.
5. Iowa State Prospects
The Cyclones had a strong showing in Indianapolis. Cornerback Darien Porter (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) ran a 4.30-second 40-yard dash, while wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins impressed with their athleticism. Noel’s 41.5-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump were among the best at his position, while Higgins showcased his size-speed combination with a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds.
6. CB Jahdae Barron (Texas)
Barron answered questions about his speed with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. While his size (5-foot-11, 194 pounds) remains a concern, his versatility and football IQ could make him one of the first cornerbacks off the board.
7. OL Armand Membou (Missouri)
Membou’s athleticism at 6-foot-4 and 332 pounds was on full display. His 4.91-second 40-yard dash, 34-inch vertical, and 9-foot-7 broad jump were among the best for offensive linemen, further solidifying his first-round potential.
8. QB Brady Cook (Missouri)
Cook, a likely undrafted prospect entering the combine, turned heads with his athleticism and throwing ability. His 4.59-second 40-yard dash, 37-inch vertical, and 10-foot-8 broad jump were elite for a quarterback, potentially earning him a late-round selection.
9. Running Backs
This year’s running back class lived up to its billing as one of the best in recent memory. Standouts like North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson, and Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten showcased their athleticism, with Tuten’s performance potentially moving him up a full round.
10. Edge Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M)
Stewart confirmed his reputation as an elite athlete with a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical, and 10-foot-11 broad jump. At 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds, his testing numbers place him in the top percentile of all prospects since 1999.
Losers
1. WR Isaiah Bond (Texas)
Bond failed to deliver on his promise to break Xavier Worthy’s 40-yard dash record, clocking a disappointing time. His inconsistent college tape and lackluster combined performance have raised concerns about his deep speed and overall draft stock.
2. Edge Abdul Carter (Penn State)
Carter’s draft stock took a hit after medical exams revealed a foot injury that may require surgery. Combined with a shoulder injury sustained during the College Football Playoff, his health is now a major red flag for teams.
3. DT Mason Graham (Michigan)
Graham’s measurements were underwhelming, with his weight (296 pounds) and arm length (32 inches) falling below expectations. In a deep defensive tackle class, his lack of elite athleticism could push him down draft boards.
4. QB Dillon Gabriel (Oklahoma)
Gabriel struggled with accuracy and arm strength during throwing drills. His performance did little to dispel concerns about his ability to succeed at the NFL level.
5. S Malaki Starks (Georgia)
Despite being the consensus top safety prospect, Starks’ testing numbers were disappointing. His 4.50-second 40-yard dash and 33-inch vertical jump were among the worst at his position, raising questions about his athleticism.
6. QB Will Howard (Kansas State)
Howard’s accuracy issues and poor performance in athletic drills (worst in the broad jump and vertical jump) have likely cemented his status as a Day 3 prospect.
7. OT Will Campbell (LSU)
Campbell’s arm length (32 5/8 inches) fell short of the 34-inch threshold many teams prefer for offensive tackles. While his athleticism was impressive, his shorter arms could limit his draft appeal.
8. WR Tez Johnson (Oregon)
At 5-foot-10 and 154 pounds, Johnson’s size was always a concern. His 4.51-second 40-yard dash, one of the slowest among wide receivers, likely pushed him down many draft boards.
9. Edge Jack Sawyer (Ohio State)
Sawyer’s 31 3/4-inch arm length, well below the 10th percentile for defensive linemen, is a significant concern. While his athletic testing was solid, his physical limitations could hurt his draft stock.
10. The Senior Bowl
Discrepancies in measurements between the Senior Bowl and the combine, such as Jalen Milroe’s hand size and offensive linemen’s arm lengths, have raised questions about the accuracy of pre-combine evaluations. Teams will now need to conduct their measurements during prospect visits.
Conclusion
The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine provided a mix of breakout performances and disappointing showings. As teams finalize their draft boards, the combined results will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of these prospects. For some, Indianapolis was a springboard to NFL stardom; for others, it was a missed opportunity to solidify their place in the league.
Keep Reading Spacesportz.com for updates on Sports.
About The Author
More Stories
Bengals Grant Trey Hendrickson Permission to Seek Trade