NFL scouting combine

The NFL Scouting Combine is an event where top college football players exhibit their skills and abilities in front of NFL coaches, scouts, and executives. The event lasts for six days and includes a variety of physical and mental tests such as the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, 3-cone drill, shuttle run, bench press interviews, and medical exams. The tests are designed to evaluate the player’s athleticism, speed, strength, mental aptitude, and medical conditions. The Wonderlic test is one of the mental tests that measures a player’s problem-solving and decision-making abilities. The NFL Scouting Combine is a crucial event for NFL teams as it provides valuable information about the top college players, which can greatly impact their draft stock and professional careers. The event also offers fans an early look at potential players joining their favorite teams in the upcoming NFL Draft.

40 yard dash

The 40-yard dash is a test that measures the speed and acceleration of a football player over a distance of 40 yards (36.6 meters). It is the most popular tests at the NFL Scouting Combine, as it provides valuable information on a player’s explosiveness, acceleration, and top-end speed.

The player starts from a stationary position and sprints as fast as possible for 40 yards. The time starts at the first movement of the athlete and stops as soon as he crosses the finish line. (Video)

The top three fastest 40-yard dash times ever recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine are:

John Ross, WR, Washington: 4.22 seconds (2017)
Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina: 4.24 seconds (2008)
Rondel Menendez, WR, Eastern Kentucky: 4.24 seconds (1999)

Moritz: 4.41 seconds

Many factors that can impact a player’s 40-yard dash time, such as their size, weight, technique, and the surface they’re running on. Nevertheless, the 40-yard dash remains a key metric in evaluating a player’s speed and explosiveness. You can improve your 40 yard time with the run faster plan (Check it out here).

3 cone drill

The 3-cone drill, also known as the L-Drill, is an agility test that measures a player’s ability to change direction quickly and efficiently. It provides information on a player’s lateral movement, acceleration, and body control.

The drill involves setting up three cones in an L-shape and having the player sprint around them in a specific pattern. The player starts at the first cone, sprints five yards to the second cone, changes direction and sprints around it, then runs back to the first cone, changes direction again, and weaves around the third cone. The player then sprints back through the second cone and finishes at the starting cone. The time starts at the first movement of the athlete and stops as soon as he crosses the finish line. (Video)

The 3 fastest 3-cone drill times ever recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine are:

Scott Hines, CB, Southeast Missouri State: 6.28 seconds (1999)
Jason Allen, DB, Tennessee: 6.32 seconds (2006)
Jeff Maehl, WR, Oregon: 6.42 seconds (2011)

Moritz: 6.65 seconds

Shuttle run (5-10-5)

The shuttle run, also known as the 5-10-5 drill, is an agility test that measures a player’s ability to change direction quickly and efficiently. It provides information on a player’s lateral movement, acceleration, and body control.

The drill involves setting up three cones, each cone is 5 yards apart from the other one in a straight line. The player starts at the middle cone, sprints five yards to the first cone, touches the line with their hand, changes direction, sprints 10 yards to the third cone, touches the line with their hand, changes direction again, and sprints back through the middle cone to the starting line. (Video)

The top three fastest shuttle run times ever recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine are:

Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa: 3.85 seconds (2021)
Jason Allen, DB, Tennessee: 3.87 seconds (2006)
Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State: 3.91 seconds (2014)

Moritz: 4.10 seconds

Broad jump

The broad jump is a test used in the NFL Scouting Combine to measure an athlete’s lower-body explosion and power. It measures the distance a player can jump from a stationary position, starting with their feet shoulder-width apart, and landing with both feet together as far forward as possible.

You are allowed to swing your arms and use a two-foot takeoff, but they cannot dive or slide into the jump. The athlete is given two attempts to jump as far as they can, and the longest distance achieved is recorded. (Video)

Here is a list with the 3 longest broad jump distances at the NFL Scouting Combine:

Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut : 12 feet, 3 inches (2015)
Chris Conley, WR, Georgia: 11 feet, 7 inches (2015)
Donald Washington, CB, Ohio State: 11 feet, 6 inches (2009)

Moritz: 10 feet 11 inches

Vertical jump

It is a test used in the NFL Scouting Combine to measure an athlete’s lower-body explosion and power. It measures the height a player can jump from a stationary position, reaching up as high as possible with one arm, and landing back on two feet. (Video)

You have 2 attempts to jump as high as they can, and the highest jump is recorded.

The three highest vertical jump heights ever recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine are:

Gerald Sensabaugh, SS, North Carolina : 46 inches (2005)
Chris Conley, WR, Georgia: 45 inches (2015)
Donald Washington, CB, Ohio State: 45 inches (2009)

Moritz: 39.5 inches

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225 lbs Bench test

The 225 bench test is a strength test used in the NFL Scouting Combine to measure an athlete’s upper body strength and endurance. It involves the athlete lifting 225 pounds (about 102 kg) as many times as possible without stopping. The test measures how many repetitions an athlete can perform. (Video)

The most number of repetitions ever recorded in the 225 bench test at the NFL Scouting Combine are:

Justin Ernest, DT, Eastern Kentucky: 51 repetitions (1999)
Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State: 49 repetitions (2011)
Mitch Petrus, OG, Arkansas: 45 repetitions (2010)

Moritz: 24 repetitions

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