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While the debate rages on the exact value of the NFL Combine, one thing is certain — the scouting event has often showcased some of the best athletes in the country.
That has been made apparent on numerous occasions in Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium, the longtime home of the combine. While positional drills may be more indicative of a player's success in the NFL, other events like the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and bench press are less obvious.
Still, to be invited to the Combine is a distinction many of the best college football players in America hope to receive. It provides the biggest, best opportunity to showcase both physical and mental aspects of players' games while providing an avenue to interview with multiple teams.
Many players have made their NFL draft cases with strong showings at the combine. And while there's certainly more to it than running faster and jumping higher/farther than your competition, it certainly doesn't hurt to stand out above your peers in the events in which players choose to participate.
With that, The Sporting News looks at some of the best showings from the NFL Combine, including the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical leap, broad jump and more.
MORE NFL COMBINE NEWS:
NFL Combine records
Official stats courtesy of NFL.com dating back to 2006.
40-yard dash
Rank Player Time Pos. Year
1. Xavier Worthy 4.21 WR 2024
2. John Ross 4.22 WR 2017
3. Kalon Barnes 4.23 CB 2022
4. Chris Johnson 4.24 RB 2008
5. D.J. Turner 4.26 CB 2023
Riq Woolen 4.26 CB 2022
Dri Archer 4.26 RB 2014
8. Henry Ruggs III 4.27 WR 2020
Marquise Goodwin 4.27 WR 2013
10. Maxwell Hairston 4.28 CB 2025
Nate Wiggins 4.28 CB 2024
Tyquan Thornton 4.28 WR 2022
Jalen Myrick 4.28 CB 2017
J.J. Nelson 4.28 WR 2015
Jacoby Ford 4.28 WR 2010
MORE: Inside the legend of Deion Sanders' 1989 Combine 40 time
Bench press
Rank Player Reps Pos. Year
1. Stephen Paea 49 DT 2011
2. Mitch Petrus 45 OL 2010
Mike Kudla 45 DL 2006
4. Netane Muti 44 G 2020
Dontari Poe 44 DT 2012
Jeff Owens 44 DT 2010
Brodrick Bunkley 44 DL 2006
8. Harrison Phillips 42 DT 2018
Russell Bodine 42 C 2014
Tank Tyler 42 DL 2007
11. Vita Vea 41 DT 2019
David Molk 41 C 2012
Terna Nande 41 LB 2006
MORE: NFL Combine bench press records
Vertical jump
Rank Player Height Pos. Year
1. Donald Washington 45.0 CB 2009
Chris Conley 45.0 WR 2015
3. Byron Jones 44.5 CB 2015
Donovan Peoples-Jones 44.5 WR 2020
5. A.J. Jefferson 44.0 CB 2010
Obi Melifonwu 44.0 S 2017
Juan Thornhill 44.0 S 2019
Quan Martin 44.0 CB 2023
8. Dorin Dickerson 43.5 TE 2010
Kashif Moore 43.5 WR 2012
Speedy Noil 43.5 WR 2017
Marcus Williams 43.5 S 2017
Miles Boykin 43.5 WR 2019
Emmanuel Hall 43.5 WR 2019
MORE: Why does Rich Eisen run the 40 every year?
Broad jump
Rank Player Length Post. Year
1. Byron Jones 12'3"* CB 2015
2. Tyler Owens 12'2'' S 2024
3. Emanuel Hall 11'9" WR 2019
Juan Thornhill 11'9" S 2019
Obi Melifonwu 11'9" S 2017
6. Miles Boykin 11'8" WR 2019
7. Donovan Peoples-Jones 11'7" WR 2020
Chris Conley 11'7" WR 2015
Jamie Collins 11'7" OLB 2013
10. Nick Emmanwori 11'6" S 2025
Julius Brents 11'6" CB 2023
Jeremy Chinn 11'6" S 2020
Jalen Reagor 11'6" WR 2020
Bud Dupree 11'6" OLB 2015
*Unofficial world record
MORE:What events are at the NFL Combine?
Three-cone drill
Rank Player Time Pos. Year
1. Jeffrey Maehl 6.42 WR 2011
2. Buster Skrine 6.44 DB 2011
3. Scott Long 6.45 WR 2010
David Long Jr. 6.45 CB 2019
5. Dane Sanzenbacher 6.46 WR 2011
6. Daniel Sorensen 6.47 FS 2014
7. Terrence Toliver 6.48 WR 2011
Zyon McCollum 6.48 CB 2022
9. Devon Cajuste 6.49 WR 2016
10. Leon Hall 6.50 CB 2007
Chykie Brown 6.50 DB 2011
Cecil Shorts 6.50 WR 2011
Chris Rainey 6.50 RB 2012
MORE: Tom Brady's underwhelming NFL Combine results
20-yard shuttle
Rank Player Time Pos. Year
1. Jason Allen 3.81 CB 2006
Brandin Cooks 3.81 WR 2014
3. Bobby McCain 3.82 CB 2015
4. B.W. Webb 3.84 CB 2013
5. Desmond Trufant 3.85 CB 2013
Justin Simmons 3.85 FS 2016
7. Austin Pettis 3.88 WR 2011
8. Kevin Johnson 3.89 CB 2015
Kevin King 3.89 CB 2017
10. Sabby Piscitelli 3.90 S 2007
Shiloh Keo 3.90 DB 2011
Buster Skrine 3.90 DB 2011
MORE: Inside D.K. Metcalf's historic NFL Combine performance
60-yard shuttle
Rank Player Time Pos. Year
1. Derrick Martin 10.69 CB 2006
2. Shelton Gibson 10.71 WR 2017
3. Brandin Cooks 10.72 WR 2014
Avonte Maddox 10.72 CB 2018
5. Buster Skrine 10.75 DB 2011
Jamell Fleming 10.75 CB 2012
7. Daniel Sorensen 10.80 FS 2014
8. Godwin Igwebuike 10.81 S 2018
9. Charlie Peprah 10.83 CB 2006
10. Braxton Miller 10.84 WR 2016
MORE: How scouts whiffed on Aaron Rodgers ahead of 2005 NFL Draft