More than 300 athletes participated in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week. The health assessments are complete, the data has been noted, and the interviews have been documented. NFL talent assessors now possess an additional element of the puzzle in their comprehensive assessment ahead of the NFL Draft in Green Bay next month.
The game footage remains the final judge of these prospects, but some athletes significantly improved their standing in Indy, while others compelled teams to revisit the tape to understand why the metrics might not align.
Here’s a glimpse at 10 athletes who truly stood out at the Combine:
S Nick Emmanwori, Carolina del Sur
An imaginative NFL defensive coordinator will greatly enjoy utilizing Emmanwori as a strategic element in his defense. Emmanwori stood at 6-foot-3, weighing 220 pounds, and recorded an impressive 43-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot-6-inch broad jump. He then sprinted the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds. Safety, large nickel, linebacker. His characteristics will enable him to assume various roles in the NFL.
LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Lions general manager Brad Holmes really values his Alabama prospects, and Campbell made the most of the Combine, excelling in both testing and on-field drills. He completed the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds while weighing 235 pounds, and his broad jump of 10 feet 7 inches further demonstrated his explosive abilities. He was quite polished in his testing and appears to be a player who can perform at SAM, WILL, MIKE, and even Edge in specific packages. He embodies everything desirable.
Edge James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Pearce made an impression with a 4.47-second time in the 40 while weighing 245 pounds. That initial outburst and swift footwork were clearly highlighted during drills. He has shorter arms (32 3/4 inches) than what teams usually prefer for an edge, and the explosion drills were merely average. His strengths are speed, quickness, and agility off the edge, which he demonstrated in Indianapolis.
CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
The West Bloomfield local showcased incredible explosiveness in testing, recording a 39.5-inch vertical, a 10-foot-9-inch broad jump, and was the quickest cornerback in Indianapolis with a 4.28-second 40-yard dash and impressive 1.5-second 10-yard split. Teams will appreciate his ability to produce the ball and his skill set. The only drawback is that he’s somewhat slim at 183 pounds. Is he able to withstand the physical demands at this level? From an athletic standpoint, he blends perfectly.
OL Armand Membou, Missouri
I believed Membou performed excellently during his two days in Indy. His height (6-4) and arm span (33 1/2 inches) fall within the average range for NFL tackles, but he shows a strong physical presence on film, and his 4.91-second time in the 40 with a 1.74-second 10-yard split was impressive at 332 pounds. A vertical leap of 34 inches and a broad jump of 9 feet 7 inches also indicate his explosiveness. I believe he is a player with genuine positional flexibility in attack due to his playing style and physical attributes.