Xavier Worthy competing in the 2024 NFL Combine.
By Owen Kutlu, Staff Writer
As with every offseason in the NFL, the NFL Scouting Combine is a huge part of the evaluation process for teams looking to find their next crop of rookies. The testing results in Indianapolis go a long way in deciding which names will be called on draft night. This past week, over 300 prospects took the field to showcase their talents to their potential teams.
The position groups were split up by days, with the defensive linemen, edge rushers, and linebackers kicking off the action on Thursday. Defensive backs, safeties, and tight ends went on Friday. On Saturday, quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs had their turn. To wrap things up, the offensive linemen and specialists tested on Sunday.
The most noteworthy performance came from Texas’ Xavier Worthy (no pun intended). Worthy broke the all-time NFL Combine 40-yard dash record, recording a 4.21 to dethrone former first-round pick John Ross III. His teammate Adonai Mitchell also had an impressive day, as he led all receivers with an 11’ 4” broad jump. Virginia’s Malik Washington led the receivers in the vertical jump category with a 42.5” leap.
Continuing with skill positions, Isaac Guerendo out of Louisville recorded the top scores out of all running backs in both the 40-yard dash and the vertical jump with a time of 4.33 and a jump of 41.5”, respectively. The top running back in the broad jump category was Tennessee’s Jaylen Wright, jumping an 11’2”. Guerendo followed right behind with a 10’9” to establish himself as one of the most athletic backs in the draft.
The tight-end class as a whole had a fantastic day, with Penn State’s Theo Johnson dominating the competition. Johnson was second in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, and vertical jump. This feat in itself is impressive, but it only gets better when you consider the fact that he weighs 260 pounds. The big man received a 9.99 relative athletic score, good for second out of 1,105 tight-end prospects that have participated in the combine since 1987. Kansas State’s Ben Sinnott also had himself a day, leading tight ends in the broad jump and vertical jump with scores of 10’ 6” and 40”, respectively.
Two of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft, Caleb Williams (USC) and Jayden Daniels (LSU), did not participate in the Combine drills. However, with a lot to prove, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Oregon’s Bo Nix, and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy all had solid days airing out the ball downfield to cement their names in the quarterback conversation.
The safety performances were highlighted by Texas Tech’s Tyler Owens, as he carried the pack in the broad jump and vertical jump with jumps of 12’ 2” and 41”, respectively. Owens’ broad jump was the second-highest recorded score in Combine history. Unfortunately, Owens could not finish testing since he pulled up with an injury to end his day.
All eyes were on future first-round selection Nate Wiggins out of Clemson when it came to the 40-yard dash. Although he did not beat Worthy’s time, Wiggins clocked in at a very speedy 4.28, but similar to Owens, he suffered what seemed to be an unlucky injury that held him out of the rest of the combine. Rutgers’ Max Melton was first in the broad jump category for safeties with a jump of 11’ 4”. The other top cornerback in the class, Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, had a great day as well and pumped out the most reps on the bench press with 20.
Alabama’s Dallas Turner is the consensus top edge rusher in this year’s draft, and he further cemented that assumption with his results this weekend. Turner’s 40-yard dash time (4.46) and vertical jump (40.5”) were good for first among all defensive linemen and edges. He was also tied for the second-best time in the broad jump, behind Penn State’s Chop Robinson and Houston Christian’s Jalyx Hunt, who both recorded jumps of 10’ 8”. Robinson finished second behind Turner in the 40-yard dash, also showing out in front of the scouts.
Braden Fiske out of Florida State stole the show at defensive tackle, finishing on top in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, and vertical jump. His 40 time was 4.78, and he jumped 9’ 9” on the broad jump and 33.5” on the vertical jump. Fiske’s athleticism jumped off the charts and may have been enough to catapult him into day one of the draft.
Being part of a spectacular linebacker class, NC State’s Payton Wilson may be the most intriguing prospect. Wilson had the fastest 40-yard dash time with a 4.43 and has drawn comparisons to NFL Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly. Washington’s Edefuan Ulofoshio also showcased his athleticism in a big way when he came in first in both the broad jump and vertical jump with scores of 10’ 8” and 39.5”, respectively.
These top prospects will continue to go through interviews and pro days as they prepare for the most important day of their lives, the NFL Draft on Apr. 25. Let the fun begin.
