The NFL Combine is an event that allows the best college football players to showcase their athleticism to league scouts. Throughout its history, the event has seen some legendary performances, and these players rank among the top five NFL Combine performers of all time.
Top Five Greatest NFL Combine Performances
Vernon Davis (2006) – Tight End
- 40-yard Dash: 4.38 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 42 inches
- Broad Jump: 10’1″
- Bench Press: 33 reps
Vernon Davis’ 2006 Combine performance remains one of the best for a tight end ever. His combination of elite speed (4.38 40-yard dash), incredible vertical leap (42 inches), and strength (33 bench press reps) made him an absolute freak.
Davis was a physical marvel and ranked in the 96th percentile at the tight end position in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, and bench press drills.
Deion Sanders (1989) – Cornerback
- 40-yard Dash: 4.28 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 36 inches
- Broad Jump: 10’3″
- 3-Cone Drill: 6.69 seconds
Deion Sanders is celebrated for his incredible speed and vibrant Prime Time persona, which is highlighted by his remarkable NFL Combine performance in 1989. He completed the 40-yard dash in just 4.28 seconds, a record that still plays in highlight reels today. After his second attempt, the Florida State Seminole dashed off, left the facility in a waiting limo, and returned to his hotel.
In another story, Sanders recounted a conversation with the New York Giants, which he shared on the NFL Network. He said, “They sat me down and handed me a thick book. I asked, ‘What’s this?’ They replied, ‘This is the test we give all the players.’ I responded, ‘Excuse me, what pick do you have in the draft?’ They said, ’10th pick.’ I told them, ‘I’ll be gone before then, and I don’t have time for this.’ And I left.”
Bo Jackson (1986) – Running Back
- 40-yard Dash: 4.12 seconds (unofficial)
- Vertical Jump: 39 inches
- Bench Press: 22 reps
Bo Jackson stands as one of the greatest athletes to ever enter the NFL Draft, with his performance at the NFL Combine showcasing just how extraordinary the two-sport star was. A standout in both football and baseball, Jackson was selected first overall in the 1986 NFL Draft and made an unforgettable impression during preseason testing.
The second-ever NFL Combine, held in New Orleans and known initially as the National Invitational Camp, was canceled due to multiple opt-outs, forcing the testing to occur at individual Pro Days. This shift led to one of the NFL’s greatest mysteries.
At his Pro Day, Jackson was clocked by several scouts running a 4.12-second 40-yard dash. A time that would be the fastest ever recorded for the NFL Combine. However, since the 1980s saw only hand-timed runs, the accuracy of this record is still hotly debated.
Saquon Barkley (2018) – Running Back
- 40-yard Dash: 4.40 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 41 inches
- Broad Jump: 10’11”
- 3-Cone Drill: 6.77 seconds
- Bench Press: 29 reps
Barkley’s 2018 performance at the NFL Combine is one of the most complete displays of athleticism ever. There were never any doubts that the Penn State rusher was a stud, but his 4.4-second 40-yard dash was quicker than return specialist Devin Hester (4.43), his 29 reps on the bench press were more than offensive lineman Joe Thomas (28), and his 41” vertical jump was higher than Julio Jones (38 ½”).
Shaquem Griffin (2018) – Linebacker
- 40-yard Dash: 4.38 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 40.5 inches
- Broad Jump: 10’5″
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.13 seconds
- Bench Press: 20 reps
Shaquem Griffin’s 2018 Combine performance is among the most inspiring and impressive displays in NFL history. Despite having his left hand amputated at the age of 4, the UCF Knights defender overcame all the odds to play football and showcased remarkable athleticism that defied expectations at the 2018 NFL Combine.
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It led to some of the most amazing and passionate testing we have ever seen. The linebacker recorded a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, the quickest at his position since 2003. More impressively, he also recorded 20 reps on the bench press without his left hand. This truly moving story will live long in the memory of the storied NFL Draft showcase.
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