The NFL Scouting Combine has turned into a nationally televised circus. But the point of the pre-draft event is for NFL teams to gain more data and information about that year’s prospects so they can properly evaluate them ahead of the NFL Draft. Part of that process is seeing how the prospects stack up against players throughout Combine history.
Which players hold the record for various drills, including the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical leap, and more?
NFL Scouting Combine Record-Holders
The NFL Scouting Combine is where hundreds of top college football athletes come to show off their freakish athleticism and look to improve their draft stock, while also meeting with decision-makers from various teams.
The week-long event has been held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, since 1987.
Note: Records are from 2006 when the equipment changed for the NFL Scouting Combine.
40-Yard Dash
Electronic timing began in 1999 for the 40-yard dash, so any times recorded before that were not considered for the record books. This means the likes of Bo Jackson (who reportedly ran a 4.12 at the 1986 Combine) and Deion Sanders (4.2 in 1989) will not be included on the list.
Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy broke John Ross’ 40-yard dash record at the 2024 NFL Combine. With a blazing 4.21, Worthy etched his name in the NFL record book by just 0.01 seconds. The Kansas City Chiefs liked what they saw, selecting him with the No. 28 pick in the first round.
As a rookie, Worthy totaled 638 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Then, during the 2024 playoffs, he led all players in receiving yards (287) and recorded three touchdowns. In the Chiefs’ Super Bowl 59 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Worthy had 157 yards and two touchdowns — the most receiving yards by a rookie in Super Bowl history.
Worthy did not have a great sophomore season in the league. According to PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, the Chiefs receiver finished the season as the 59th best wideout in the league with an impact score of 73.1.
- WR Xavier Worthy | 4.21 (2024)
- WR John Ross | 4.22 (2017)
- DB Kalon Barnes | 4.23 (2022)
- RB Chris Johnson | 4.24 (2008)
- CB DJ Turner II | 4.26 (2023)
Bench Press
The bench press showcases upper-body strength by seeing how many times a player can lift 225 pounds. This drill is typically more significant for offensive and defensive linemen rather than the skill players.
It’s also unsurprising that the biggest humans at the Combine are the ones who routinely put up the most impressive numbers here.
In 2011, Oregon State’s Stephen Paea laid his nearly 6’1″ and 300-pound body on the bench and pumped out 49 reps. The New Zealand-born defensive tackle set one of the longest-standing Combine records, and the Chicago Bears drafted him in Round 2. He also had stints with Washington, Cleveland, and Dallas throughout his seven-year NFL career.
- DT Stephen Paea | 49 (2011)
- OL Mitch Petrus | 45 (2010)
- DT Jeff Owens | 44 (2010)
- DT Dontari Poe | 44 (2012)
Vertical Jump
The vertical jump helps decision-makers judge lower-body explosiveness, using it as a measuring stick for pure athleticism. It’s typically an important drill for skill positions (WRs, RBs, DBs), but it’s also useful for tight ends and edge rushers.
Wide receivers who beat their position average in the vert played nearly 18 more career games on average than below-average vert jumpers. Similarly, above-average edge rushers played about 13 more career games on average, while above-average tight ends played about 11 more career games on average.
In 2005, safety Gerald Sensabaugh set the record with a 46-inch vertical, and it still stands 20 years later. Sensabaugh was ultimately drafted in the fifth round (No. 157 overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2005 NFL Draft.
Tight end Eli Stowers came close to breaking the record during the 2026 NFL Combine, posting a 45.5-inch vertical jump. It remains to be seen where Stowers will get picked, but it’s safe to say he made a lot of money in Indianapolis since his mark is historic for a tight end.
For context, New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has a vertical jump of 45 inches, so this is an extremely impressive showing.
- S Gerald Sensabaugh | 46.0 (2005)
- TE Eli Stowers | 45.5 (2026)
- LB Cameron Wake | 45.5 (2005)
- WR Chris Conley | 45.0 (2015)
- CB Donald Washington | 45.0 (2009)
- DB Byron Jones | 44.5 (2015)
Broad Jump
The broad jump highlights lower-body power and explosiveness. It also shows off the player’s flexibility and ability to anchor for those players in the trenches. While it’s important for linemen, skill-position players with explosive athletic ability own the top spots in the record books.
Jones may have come up just short in the vertical jump to Conley, but he crushed the broad jump back in 2015. Jones’ 12’3″ jump not only set the Combine record, it also set a new world record. Jones was ultimately drafted No. 27 overall by the Dallas Cowboys, and he played eight years in the NFL.
- CB Byron Jones | 12’3″ (2015)
- S Obi Melifonwu | 11’9″ (2017)
- WR Emanuel Hall | 11’9″ (2019)
- S Juan Thornhill | 11’9″ (2019)
3-Cone Drill
The three-cone drill’s main function is to calculate a prospect’s change-of-direction ability, bend, and acceleration/burst.
Cornerback Jordan Thomas holds the Combine record with a 6.28-second three-cone in 2018. Despite setting the record, Thomas went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma and never played a down in the NFL.
- CB Jordan Thomas | 6.28 (2018)
- WR Jeffrey Maehl | 6.42 (2011)
- CB Buster Skrine | 6.44 (2011)
- WR Scott Long | 6.45 (2010)
- CB David Long | 6.45 (2019)
20-Yard Shuttle
The 20-yard shuttle is all about reaction speeds and testing a player’s body control as they change directions. As a result, it makes sense that defenders fill the majority of the list, though the top spot belongs to a certain wide receiver.
One of the fastest WRs in the league, it’s not surprising that Brandin Cooks tied Jason Allen’s record-holding 3.81 20-yard shuttle time. The Miami Dolphins selected Allen No. 16 overall in the 2006 NFL Draft, and he enjoyed a seven-year career in the league.
Cooks also went in Round 1, No. 20 overall, to the New Orleans Saints in the 2014 NFL Draft. Since entering the NFL, he posted six 1,000-yard seasons in his first eight years, and he has totaled 9,532 receiving yards and 62 touchdowns throughout his career.
- WR Brandin Cooks | 3.81 (2014)
- DB Jason Allen | 3.81 (2006)
- CB Bobby McCain | 3.82 (2015)
- CB B.W. Webb | 3.84 (2013)
2026 NFL Scouting Combine Schedule by Position Group
Thursday, Feb. 26 (3-8 p.m. ET)
Defensive linemen, linebackers, and specialists.
Friday, Feb. 27 (3-8 p.m. ET)
Defensive backs, tight ends
Saturday, Feb. 28 (1-8 p.m. ET)
Quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs
Sunday, March 1 (1-5 p.m. ET)
Offensive linemen
A total of 319 prospects received invitations to this year’s event, with names like Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, running back Jeremiyah Love, linebackers Arvell Reese, and Sonny Styles headlining the field.
How to Watch the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine
Fans can attend on-field workouts inside Lucas Oil Stadium by registering through the NFL OnePass app. The event airs on NFL Network across all four days of drills, with streaming available on NFL+, which includes live press conferences, drill analysis, and insider breakdowns on connected TV and mobile devices.
No cable? DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV all carry NFL Network for cord-cutters looking to catch the action.
