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The NFL Combine is the precursor to the NFL Draft and one of the final chances that draft hopefuls have to impress scouts and NFL front offices.
The Combine is a combination of drills and interviews. The players will go through physicals, run through drills to test certain metrics about their athleticism and then meet with teams to see if they would be a good fit at the next level. While everyone wants to see the top projected draft picks ball out at the combine, it's also a way for lesser-known prospects to make a statement.
Whenever the Heisman Trophy winner comes through the Combine, everyone expects them to perform well, cementing themselves as a highly touted prospect. Recently, though, there has been a trend for players to pass on working out at the Combine, and instead relying on what they did during their college careers to speak for itself, as well as private workouts at their respective pro days.
Here's a look back at how Heisman winners have performed at the NFL Combine in recent years.
MORE:Fastest 40 times ever at the NFL Combine
Recent Heisman Trophy Winners
Year Heisman Winner
2025 Fernando Mendoza
2024 Travis Hunter (didn't participate in all on-field drills)
2023 Jayden Daniels (didn't participate in Combine)
2022 Caleb Williams (didn't participate in Combine)
2021 Bryce Young (didn't participate in Combine)
2020 DeVonta Smith (didn't participate in Combine)
2019 Joe Burrow (didn't participate in Combine)
2018 Kyler Murray (didn't participate in Combine)
2017 Baker Mayfield
2016 Lamar Jackson (didn't participate in Combine)
2015 Derrick Henry
2014 Marcus Mariota
2013 Jameis Winston
2012 Johnny Manziel
2011 Robert Griffin III
2010 Cam Newton
2009 Mark Ingram II
2008 Sam Bradford (didn't participate in Combine)
2007 Tim Tebow
2006 Troy Smith
MORE: What events are at the NFL Combine?
NFL Combine events
The NFL Combine is split up into various parts. Players will go through a medical physical so that teams are aware of any issues they could be dealing with on draft day. The various position groups will also go through specific drills like running routes or cutting various directions while backpedaling down the field. The most talked about events at the Combine are the metric measuring drills. The 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical and broad jump are the four biggest events and are joined by the 3-cone drill and shuttle run.
MORE: Controversial interview questions at the NFL Combine
Heisman Trophy winners at NFL Combine
There has been a recent trend of Heisman Trophy winners not participating in events at the Combine. Here are the 10 most recent Heisman winners to participate and how they have fared in the top four events.
40-yard dash
The 40-yard dash is probably the most anticipated event every year. You're always hoping to see someone break the record for fastest 40 of all time, but it is also interesting to see how quick the 300+ pound linemen can move. The current record holder is Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy who was clocked at a 4.21-second 40-yard dash last year.
Year Heisman Winner Result (seconds)
2025 Fernando Mendoza TBD
2024 Travis Hunter Didn't participate
2017 Baker Mayfield 4.84
2015 Derrick Henry 4.54
2014 Marcus Mariota 4.52
2013 Jameis Winston 4.97
2012 Johnny Manziel 4.68
2011 Robert Griffin III 4.41
2010 Cam Newton 4.59
2009 Mark Ingram II 4.62
2007 Tim Tebow 4.72
2006 Troy Smith 4.72
MORE: Why does Rich Eisen run the 40 every year?
Bench press
While no aspect of the game of football actually requires players to bench press another player at any time, this is an important drill in measuring a player's strength. It also helps to measure their mental toughness with how they go through the drill. Players obviously want to perform well, but this is one of those drills where as long as you aren't at the bottom of results, there shouldn't be any negative takeaways from this event.
Year Heisman Winner Result (reps)
2025 Fernando Mendoza TBD
2024 Travis Hunter Didn't participate
2017 Baker Mayfield Didn't participate
2015 Derrick Henry 22
2014 Marcus Mariota Didn't participate
2013 Jameis Winston Didn't participate
2012 Johnny Manziel Didn't participate
2011 Robert Griffin III Didn't participate
2010 Cam Newton Didn't participate
2009 Mark Ingram II 21
2007 Tim Tebow Didn't participate
2006 Troy Smith Didn't participate
MORE: NFL Combine bench press records
Vertical
The is an important drill in showcasing a players athleticism. For wide receivers, linebackers and defensive backs, it also helps show how much range they have. If a smaller player has an unreal vertical and shows good strength, it would take away a team's worry about their ability to catch a contested pass or ball that is high in the air.
Year Heisman Winner Result (inches)
2025 Fernando Mendoza TBD
2024 Travis Hunter 41.5
2017 Baker Mayfield 29
2015 Derrick Henry 37
2014 Marcus Mariota 36
2013 Jameis Winston 28.5
2012 Johnny Manziel 31.5
2011 Robert Griffin III 39
2010 Cam Newton 35
2009 Mark Ingram II 31.5
2007 Tim Tebow 38.5
2006 Troy Smith 36.5
MORE:Why is the NFL Combine always in Indianapolis?
Broad jump
This drill helps to measure a player's explosiveness and athleticism. Again, there isn't a time during the course of a football game that a player will have to go from a standing position to a jump, unless it is a quarterback at the goalline and they are trying to sneak the ball in. Even then, the QB tends to go up and over and not directly through the line like in abroad jump. Still, this drill is useful in seeing how much power a player can generate from their lower body.
Year Heisman Winner Result (Feet-Inches)
2025 Fernando Mendoza TBD
2024 Travis Hunter 11-2
2017 Baker Mayfield 9-3
2015 Derrick Henry 10-10
2014 Marcus Mariota 10-1
2013 Jameis Winston 8-7
2012 Johnny Manziel 9-5
2011 Robert Griffin III 10-0
2010 Cam Newton 10-5
2009 Mark Ingram II 9-10
2007 Tim Tebow 9-7
2006 Troy Smith 10-2
MORE:What to know about NFL Combine records