The NFL Combine is where most of the top-rated college football players looking to take the next step to the NFL come together and perform various drills and tests before the NFL Draft takes place. As the end of the Super Bowl marks the end of the previous NFL season, all attention for NFL teams and fans turns towards the NFL Combine followed by the NFL Draft.
While there are thousands of collegiate football athletes aspiring to become professional NFL players, only a handful of them get invited to the Combine. A committee of selectors discusses with all the NFL teams and sends out around 300 or so invites each year. This year, the 2024 NFL Combine will feature 321 invites for all the positions.
Those players that receive the Combine invite then appear for the near-week-long event with the last four days being reserved for drills. The players will have discussions with members from various teams, undergo the interview rounds, and show their skills and abilities on the field during the physical drills.
Since the NFL Combine is taken very seriously by athletes as it helps them improve their chances of getting drafted in the earlier rounds, the players perform the drills putting their best foot forward. As a result, there is always scope to see someone break a record in any of the various tests that take place.
Let us now take a look at the top scores in all the NFL Combine drills up to 2024. However, it is worth noting that the NFL does not keep official records of the NFL Combine and therefore the database available on the official NFL website dates back to only 2006. Therefore, all records mentioned below are from 2006 onwards.
NFL Combine 40 yard dash record
The NFL Combine 40 yard dash is used to test the speed and acceleration of players. This test is most useful for studying wide receivers, defensive backs, and running backs as these positions require speed.
The following are the 10 best times set for a 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
| Rank | Time (seconds) | Name | Year | Position | College |
| 1 | 4.22 | John Ross | 2017 | WR | Washington |
| 2 | 4.23 | Kalon Barnes | 2022 | CB | Baylor |
| 3 | 4.24 | Chris Johnson | 2008 | RB | East Carolina |
| 4 | 4.26 | DJ Turner II | 2023 | CB | Michigan |
| 5 | 4.26 | Woolen, Tariq | 2022 | CB | UTSA |
| 6 | 4.26 | Dri Archer | 2014 | RB | Kent State |
| 7 | 4.27 | Henry Ruggs III | 2020 | WR | Alabama |
| 8 | 4.27 | Marquise Goodwin | 2013 | WR | Texas |
| 9 | 4.28 | Tyquan Thornton | 2022 | WR | Baylor |
| 10 | 4.28 | Jalen Myrick | 2017 | DB | Minnesota |
NFL Combine bench press record
The NFL bench press combine record is one record that many fans are interested in knowing. The bench press at the NFL Combine drill is used to test the strength and stamina of players which is particularly useful for the offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker positions. The bench press at the NFL Combine is set at 225 pounds with players performing the most reps being ranked the highest.
The following are the 10 best repetitions set for the bench press at the NFL Combine.
| Rank | Reps | Name | Year | Position | College |
| 1 | 49 | Stephen Paea | 2011 | DT | Oregon State |
| 2 | 45 | Mitch Petrus | 2010 | OL | Arkansas |
| 3 | 45 | Mike Kudla | 2006 | DL | Ohio State |
| 4 | 44 | Netane Muti | 2020 | G | Fresno State |
| 5 | 44 | Dontari Poe | 2012 | DT | Memphis |
| 6 | 44 | Jeff Owens | 2010 | DT | Georgia |
| 7 | 42 | Harrison Phillips | 2018 | DT | Stanford |
| 8 | 42 | Russell Bodine | 2014 | C | North Carolina |
| 9 | 42 | Tank Tyler | 2007 | DL | N.C. State |
| 10 | 41 | Vita Vea | 2018 | DT | Washington |
NFL Combine vertical jump record
The NFL Combine vertical jump is a drill that measures the vertical height ability of players. This drill is mostly targeted toward the wide receivers and the defensive backs as they are always leaping in the air for catches or pass breakups.
The following are the 10 best records set for the vertical jump at the NFL Combine
| Rank | Height (inches) | Name | Year | Position | College |
| 1 | 45 | Chris Conley | 2015 | WR | Georgia |
| 2 | 45 | Donald Washington | 2009 | CB | Ohio State |
| 3 | 44.5 | Donovan Peoples-Jones | 2020 | WR | Michigan |
| 4 | 44.5 | Byron Jones | 2015 | DB | Connecticut |
| 5 | 44 | Jartavius Martin | 2023 | SAF | Illinois |
| 6 | 44 | Juan Thornhill | 2019 | S | Virginia |
| 7 | 44 | Obi Melifonwu | 2017 | S | Connecticut |
| 8 | 44 | A. J. Jefferson | 2010 | CB | Fresno State |
| 9 | 43.5 | Miles Boykin | 2019 | WR | Notre Dame |
| 10 | 43.5 | Emanuel Hall | 2019 | WR | Missouri |
Broad jump NFL Combine record
The NFL Combine broad jump, also known as the standing jump, is used to measure the explosive leg power and the lower body strength of athletes.
The following are the 10 best records set for the broad jump at the NFL Combine
| Rank | Distance (ft/in) | Name | Year | Position | College |
| 1 | 12' 3" (3.73 m) | Byron Jones | 2015 | DB | Connecticut |
| 2 | 11' 9" (3.58 m) | Emanuel Hall | 2019 | WR | Missouri |
| 3 | 11' 9" (3.58 m) | Juan Thornhill | 2019 | S | Virginia |
| 4 | 11' 9" (3.58 m) | Obi Melifonwu | 2017 | S | Connecticut |
| 5 | 11' 8" (3.56 m) | Miles Boykin | 2019 | WR | Notre Dame |
| 6 | 11' 7" (3.53 m) | Donovan Peoples-Jones | 2020 | WR | Michigan |
| 7 | 11' 7" (3.53 m) | Chris Conley | 2015 | WR | Georgia |
| 8 | 11' 7" (3.53 m) | Jamie Collins | 2013 | OLB | Southern Miss |
| 9 | 11' 6" (3.50 m) | Julius Brents | 2023 | CB | Kansas State |
| 10 | 11' 6" (3.50 m) | Jeremy Chinn | 2020 | S | Southern Illinois |
NFL Combine 3-cone record
The NFL Combine 3-cone drill, also known as the L drill is an interesting way of measuring the agility, change of direction and balance of athletes. This drill consists of 5-yard short sprints and the total distance covered is 30 yards.
The following are the 10 best records set for the 3-cone drill at the NFL Combine
| Rank | Time (seconds) | Name | Year | Position | College |
| 1 | 6.42 | Jeff Maehl | 2011 | WR | Oregon |
| 2 | 6.44 | Buster Skrine | 2011 | DB | Tennessee-Chattanooga |
| 3 | 6.45 | David Long | 2019 | DB | Michigan |
| 4 | 6.45 | Scott Long | 2010 | WR | Louisville |
| 5 | 6.46 | Dane Sanzenbacher | 2011 | WR | Ohio State |
| 6 | 6.47 | Daniel Sorensen | 2014 | FS | BYU |
| 7 | 6.48 | Zyon McCollum | 2022 | CB | Sam Houston State |
| 8 | 6.48 | Terrence Toliver | 2011 | WR | LSU |
| 9 | 6.48 | Devon Cajuste | 2016 | WR | Stanford |
| 10 | 6.5 | Chris Rainey | 2012 | RB | Florida |
NFL Combine 20-yard shuttle record
The NFL Combine 20-yard shuttle is also referred to as the short shuttle and it is another test that determines the quickness and change-of-direction ability of players. While it is not regarded as highly as the 40-yard dash, it is still an important part of the event.
The following are the 10 best records set for the 20-yard shuttle at the NFL Combine
| Rank | Time (seconds) | Name | Year | Position | College |
| 1 | 3.81 | Brandin Cooks | 2014 | WR | Oregon State |
| 2 | 3.81 | Jason Allen | 2006 | CB | Tennessee |
| 3 | 3.82 | Bobby McCain | 2015 | CB | Memphis |
| 4 | 3.84 | B.W. Webb | 2013 | CB | William & Mary |
| 5 | 3.85 | Justin Simmons | 2016 | FS | Boston College |
| 6 | 3.85 | Desmond Trufant | 2013 | CB | Washington |
| 7 | 3.88 | Austin Pettis | 2011 | WR | Boise State |
| 8 | 3.89 | Kevin King | 2017 | CB | Washington |
| 9 | 3.89 | Kevin Johnson | 2015 | CB | Wake Forest |
| 10 | 3.9 | Damian Copeland | 2014 | WR | Louisville |
FAQs
A. The bench press weight at the NFL Combine is 225 pounds.
A. The physical drills at the NFL Combine are the 40-yard dash, bench press, 3-cone drill, vertical jump, broad jump, and the 20-yard shuttle.
A. Michael Vick with a 40 time of 4.33 seconds is the fastest quarterback to date in the NFL Combine history.
A. Stephen Paea holds the official NFL Combine bench press record with 49 reps which he set in 2011.
A. John Ross has the official fastest 40 time at the NFL Combine of 4.22 seconds set at the 2017 NFL Combine.
