The NFL Scouting Combine is right around the corner (February 23rd-March 2nd). While it’s fun to speculate about what certain prospects are going to run/jump/bench press at this year’s event, it’s always fun to look back and appreciate the men who have given us some truly spectacular moments over the years.
These men are some of the greatest athletes on the planet. When we have assembled a group of 300+ people who are even being considered to play in the NFL, you know that those are some of the best athletes the world has to offer…so to show up and truly wow and amaze people with your performances is worth recognizing and talking about for years afterwards.
I’ve compiled six moments below that are truly incredible. I had a lot of fun researching and digging up some of these moments that I had completely forgotten about. Let’s see if you remember them…
(Each moment is listed below in no particular order)
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1. Vernon Davis (2006)
Vernon Davis wasn’t being talked about much going into the 2006 NFL Combine, but his draft stock shot through the roof afterwards.
Davis weighed in at 254 pounds and proceeded to put up these ridiculous numbers:
- 40-yard dash: 4.39 seconds
- Bench press (225 pounds): 33 reps
- Vertical jump: 42 inches
- Broad jump: 128 inches
- Short shuttle: 4.17 seconds
Thanks to this performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, Davis went on to be selected with the No. 6 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers. As we now know 14 years later, he was certainly worth that 6th overall selection.
There are only 2 players to weigh 230+ lbs, run the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds or faster, and vertical jump 40" or higher at the Combine since 2003:
Vernon Davis (2006)
Saquon Barkley (2018)— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 2, 2018
2. Chris Johnson (2008)
Chris Johnson put himself squarely in the 1st round conversation of the 2008 NFL Draft when he showed up and ran a 4.24 40-yard dash.
This ultimately broke the record for the fastest 40-yard dash and elevated his draft stock immensely. Little did people know that this record would stand for nearly 10 years until the next individual on our list broke it in 2017.
3. John Ross (2017)
John Ross was a speedster at Washington, but very few people expected him to completely reset the fastest time in NFL Combine history in 2017.
Ross did it though and now holds the record with an official 4.22. The best part about this moment though is that Adidas made it known before the event that they were offering an island to any prospect that broke the 40-yard dash record set by Chris Johnson in 2008…if they wore Adidas cleats.
As we know, Ross broke the record, but failed to wear Adidas cleats. Instead, he chose to wear his usual Nike shoes and the island opportunity went unclaimed.
4. Stephen Paea (2011)/Justin Ernest (1999)
Justin Ernest set the official bench press record back in 1999 with 51 reps of 225. Unfortunately, Ernest went on to never play a game in the NFL. That record still officially stands today, but only one person in the 21st century has gotten close to breaking it: Stephen Paea in 2011.
Paea put up an absurd 49 reps of 225 and it was enough for the Chicago Bears to draft him in the second round. He went on to play seven season in the NFL with the Bears, Redskins, Browns, and Cowboys.
5. Byron Jones (2015)
Byron Jones wasn’t being talked about much going into the 2015 NFL Combine. He had missed the majority of the previous season at UConn with a shoulder injury and people simply weren’t paying attention to the athletic corner…at least they weren’t until he walked up to do the broad jump.
Jones proceeded to set a world record with a broad jump of 12 feet, 3 inches. For those who don’t want to do the math, that’s 147 inches. The only players who have come close since then are Emanuel Hall, Juan Thornhill, and Obi Melifonwu, each jumping 141 inches. It’s hard to envision Jones’ broad jump record ever being beaten.
Remember when Byron Jones set a broad jump world record at the NFL Combine?pic.twitter.com/KhcMjAlBS3
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) February 17, 2020
6. Dontari Poe (2012)
Dontari Poe is a big man. Like, a big man,
Poe showed up to the NFL Combine at 6’3″ and 346 pounds, which would make me look like Bilbo Baggins standing next to him, if I’m being completely honest.
Poe went on to run perhaps one of the most impressive 40-yard dash times, given his size. At 346 pounds, Poe ran a 4.98. That’s insane…
Poe’s still playing for the Carolina Panthers and has had a good career up to this point. His 40-yard dash though absolutely deserves to be mentioned on this list of athletic feats.
Honorable Mentions: Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, Bo Jackson
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