The NFL Scouting Combine has turned into a must-see event with enormous marketing potential for the league. But at the end of the day, it’s about gaining more data and information about the prospects so the teams can properly evaluate them ahead of the NFL Draft. Part of that process is seeing how the prospects stack up against their peers throughout Combine history.
Which players recorded the largest and smallest hand measurements of all time?
Biggest NFL Hand Sizes and Measurements of All Time
During the NFL Scouting Combine, some players elect to skip certain measurements, including having their hand measured. Typically, that comes from a player’s camp being worried that they might come in a bit lower than expected, which could alter their perceived draft stock.
Other players can’t wait to get measured, as their monster hands can only help their case.
Currently, the largest hand measurement in NFL Combine history is 11.75 inches, shared by DL DeForest Buckner, OT Gosder Cherilus, and TE Mo Alie-Cox.
Interestingly, Buckner and Alie-Cox are currently teammates on the Indianapolis Colts, and Cherilus also played in Indy from 2013-2014 — a sign that the Colts might put more stock in large hands than other teams.
Smallest NFL Hand Sizes and Measurements of All Time
Typically, it’s the players on the opposite end of the spectrum who make headlines. Large hands don’t move the needle too much, but if a player has small hands, it can scare some teams off and that label tends to stick.
On average, most use the 9″ threshold as the benchmark for where teams like to see a player measure in, but that certainly can vary.
KEEP READING: NFL Combine Records — 40 Time, Bench Press, Vertical, More
The player with the smallest hands in NFL Scouting Combine history was Oklahoma RB Kennedy Brooks. Undrafted in the 2022 draft class, Brooks measured in with 7 5/8″ hands.
Brooks bounced around NFL practice squads and, most recently, was a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL.
Which QB Has the Smallest Hands Ever?
For a while, New Orleans Saints QB/TE Taysom Hill was the record-holder for the smallest hand size at 8 3/4″, but this was never truly an issue since Hill has operated as an offensive weapon rather than a primary QB.
Now, the record for smallest hand size for a quarterback prospect belongs to former Princeton signal-caller Kevin Davidson, who measured in at 8 1/4″ in the 2020 NFL Draft. Davidson went undrafted and had a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns before being waived.
In 2022, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett measured in at 8 1/2″. Pickett is double-jointed in his hands, meaning his thumb can slide a bit lower, helping to create more space to grip the ball. However, it is worth noting that Pickett had 38 fumbles while in college.
The Pittsburgh Steelers clearly weren’t concerned about Pickett’s hands, as they selected the hometown player with the No. 20 overall pick, making him the first QB selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. Pickett’s career hasn’t played out as planned, but he just won a Super Bowl as the Philadelphia Eagles’ backup quarterback.
MORE: Try PFSN’s Free Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
This year, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is expected to make headlines for having small hands, as he measured in at 8 3/4″ at the Senior Bowl — the smallest hands of any quarterback since Pickett.
2025 NFL Scouting Combine Schedule
The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from Tuesday, Feb. 24, to Monday, March 3. Here’s the complete schedule by position:
Quarterbacks
- Media availability session:Â Friday, Feb. 28
- Measurements and on-field workout:Â Saturday, March 1
- Bench press, departure: Sunday, March 2
Running Backs
- Media availability session:Â Friday, Feb. 28
- Measurements and on-field workout:Â Saturday, March 1
- Bench press, departure: Sunday, March 2
Wide Receivers
- Media availability session:Â Friday, Feb. 28
- Measurements and on-field workout:Â Saturday, March 1
- Bench press, departure:Â Sunday, March 2
Tight Ends
- Media availability session:Â Thursday, Feb. 27
- Measurements and on-field workout:Â Friday, Feb. 28
- Bench press, departure:Â Saturday, March 1
Offensive Line
- Media availability session:Â Saturday, March 1
- Measurements and on-field workout:Â Sunday, March 2
- Bench press, departure:Â Monday, March 3
Defensive Line
- Media availability session:Â Thursday, Feb. 27
- Measurements and on-field workout:Â Friday, Feb. 28
- Bench press, departure:Â Saturday, March 1
Fans are welcome to watch the on-field workouts inside Lucas Oil Stadium and enjoy the NFL Scouting Combine experience by registering for the NFL OnePass. The event is also televised on NFL Network, with quite a bit of live coverage across the four days of workouts.
NFL Network will broadcast from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 27, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET on Friday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Sunday to cover the four days of workouts.
For those without a cable package (or whose cable package doesn’t include NFL Network), streaming options with the channel include Fubo, Sling TV, or Hulu + Live TV.
Purchasing a subscription to NFL+ also provides access to NFL Network, while Fubo is currently offering a free trial that allows users to stream the event without a long-term commitment.
