2025 NFL Scouting Combine Standouts: Biggest Winners and Disappointments at Every Position

March 4, 2025

Discover the top winners and biggest disappointments from the 2025 NFL Combine, with key takeaways and standout performances at every position (QB, RB, WR, TE).

The 2025 NFL Combine is over. It left as quickly as it came, and I am sitting here rewatching these top prospects for the third or fourth time.

The market for future NFL stars will fluctuate from the grueling season through the Senior Bowl to the Combine, Pro Days, and eventually the NFL draft.

This past weekend was an opportunity for the stars of tomorrow to interview for potential jobs, and I'm here to break it down with the 2025 NFL combine winners and losers.

Quarterback Combine Winners

Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi

Jaxson Dart may have put himself into the top 10 conversation this past weekend with a solid performance. It also helped that neither Shedeur Sanders nor Cameron Ward participated in the on-field activities. Dart led all FBS passers, averaging 10.8 yards per attempt, 1,517 passing yards, and 17 touchdowns on deep passes in 2024, and the Combine confirmed that he could throw the deep ball.

.@MoveTheSticks' No. 42 prospect Jaxson Dart knows how to throw a deep ball 💪

📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BO6izCSCvM

— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2025

With his performance, it is hard to see Dart getting past the Jets at pick No. 7. It shouldn't shock people if you hear that some teams have Dart ranked higher on their boards than Sanders and/or Ward.

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

Please make no mistake: there was a time when Quinn Ewers was expected to be one of the top quarterback draft prospects when he finally declared. Unfortunately, you either die a hero or live long enough to become a villain. A villain Ewers would become after years in the spotlight.

Some in the scouting community remember Ewers's arm talent, and we're again reminded of it in Indianapolis. There is also a belief that with Sanders and Ward not throwing, Ewers has closed the gap and that some teams may decide to wait on Ewers rather than attempt to move up in the draft. At the combine, Ewers connected on 18 of 23 throws, looking as though he was finally healthy, having recovered from a torn oblique, which he suffered back in Week 2.

Here are all of Quinn Ewers' throws from the day. Really great stuff from QE

Clearly was one of (if not the best) thrower in this quarterback group#HookEm | #Texas pic.twitter.com/esvbqC7Sqm

— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) March 1, 2025

Quarterback Combine Losers

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon

Dillon Gabriel found success in college, but when your pro comparison is Kellen Moore, you better have yourself a day at the Combine and have others see you in a different light. Unfortunately, that did not happen. While Gabriel connected on some deep balls, he also missed too many. 

Gabriel needed to have a good day to make people forget about his diminutive stature. At 5-foot-11, Gabriel needed to outperform Riley Leonard, Tyler Shough, and Kyle McCord, and that didn't happen. 

Will Howard, QB, Ohio State

Will Howard may have won a National Championship, but he was about as far as one can be from winning the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. For much of the throwing session, it appeared that Howard struggled to adjust to receivers not named Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, or Jeremiah Smith, with many of his throws being inaccurate. Many consider Howard's performance one of the worst ever at the NFL Combine, which will surely affect his draft stock.

Perfect at the combine? pic.twitter.com/20Ou5e27Im

— Depressed New York Fan (@JudgeEnjoyer) March 2, 2025

While the Combine performance wasn't great, hopefully, scouts don't dismiss the fact that against Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, and Notre Dame, he went 4-0, throwing for 1,584 yards and 11 touchdowns while tossing just two interceptions.

Quarterback Name to Watch

Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville

Heading into the NFL Combine, one prospect many scouts were intrigued by was Louisville signal-caller Tyler Shough. Shough saw his stock first start to rise with a solid Senior Bowl, and then at the Combine, he impressed many. Match his performance with the tape from this past season, and the market should finally correct itself.

There is a good chance that Shough has positioned himself as the fourth quarterback to come off the board in April's draft.

Tyler Shough the most polished and pro ready QB that took part in the actual workout tonight at the #NFLCombine and went through the entire workout. Athleticism, feet, drops, arm strength, touch, accuracy, decision making. It’s all there. @tylershough2 @LouisvilleFB @JeffBrohm

— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 2, 2025

Running Back Combine Winners

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

Quinshon Judkins has shown us the tape. We saw him break out while leading the Ole Miss offense. The World saw him secure a  National Championship for Ohio State. This past weekend, we saw a 221-pound back with both speed and explosion post a 4.48 40 along with a broad jump that put him in the 98th percentile. 

A 1.51 10-yard split for Quinshon Judkins at 221 pounds is ridiculous.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 1, 2025

Judkins also posted a relative athletic score of 9.98 out of 10, which ranks 23rd amongst the running back position dating back to 1987 and includes 1,909 running backs.

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

If you thought Judkins put on a show, let me introduce you to Omarion Hampton, whose RAS score of 9.92 is the 14th highest of all time. With many already penciling Ashton Jeanty in as the RB1 of this rookie class, Hampton should remind fantasy managers that he is more than a consolation prize. 

Omarion Hampton scored a 9.93 out of 10.00 on his RAS Score.

He ranked 14 out of 1909 RB’s from 1987 to 2025 (Per: @MathBomb).

This was the #1 RAS Score amongst ALL 2025 RB’s.

Omarion Hampton also outmeasured Ashton Jeanty across the board, for what it’s worth.

1ST ROUND LOCK pic.twitter.com/mY9E0eQ9Ed

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) March 1, 2025

I'm not saying that Jeanty is Ricky Williams, and I'm not saying that Hampton is Edgerrin James, but in the 1999 NFL draft, Williams was the consensus RB1. James would end up being selected one pick ahead of Williams and go on to a Hall of Fame career.

Running Back Combine Losers

Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State

Ollie Gordon II remains the most polarizing running back in this class. In 2023, he was arguably the best running back in the nation. In 2024, Gordon is a back that people are now sleeping on. While he performed well at the Senior Bowl, his 4.60 40-yard performance at the Combine left more to be desired.

With some questions off the field and a less-than-spectacular Combine showing, Gordon will likely see his draft stock take a hit. However, Gordon is one of those backs who, if he lands with the right team, could be an asset on the rise.

Running Back Name to Watch

Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech

No running back ran faster or jumped higher than Virginia Tech's Bhayshul Tuten at the 2025 NFL Combine. Tuten ran a 4.32 40 with a 10-yard split of 1.49 while reaching 40.5 inches in the vertical. Tuten's 40, broad jump, and vertical all are in the 95th percentile amongst the running back position. Dare I say, Tuten is a bigger version of De'Von Achane with speed and composite explosion grades measuring elite. 

Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten has put EVERYONE on notice:

🔥 4.32s 40-yard dash (best among RBs this year)
🔥 40.50" vertical jump (best among RBs this year)
🔥 10'10" broad jump (tied for second among RBs this year)

📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/jpdq4tF3U2

— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2025

Tuten is a proven touchdown-maker. In 2024, Tuten's touchdown per touch rate of 0.071 is near the top of this year's running back class.

A whopping SIX running backs earned a 90th-percentile SPORQ athleticism rating at the Combine this weekend:

Bayshul Tuten - 99.5
Omarion Hampton - 96.1
DJ Giddens - 94.6
RJ Harvey - 93.2
Montrell Johnson Jr. - 91.4
Quinshon Judkins - 91.0

This class is unreal! pic.twitter.com/AjqAUxHMq6

— Ryan Heath (@RyanJ_Heath) March 3, 2025

Wide Receiver Combine Winners

The wide receiver position for fantasy is the Wild West of this year's draft class. At the top of the board, a case can be made for any of Tetairoa McMillan, Egbuka, or even Luther Burden III. After those three, there are about five other receivers one could argue for to be included in that top tier of pass catchers.

Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford

Anytime I get to shout out my hometown of Medicine Hat, Alberta, you better believe I am going to do it. I'll also shout out the Panthers track club, where Elic Ayomanor first displayed that next-level speed we saw live in Indianapolis. The 6-foot-2, 206-pound Ayomanor ran an impressive 4.44 40-yard time, pushing himself into the top five conversations among the wide receiver class of 2025.

Elic Ayomanor balled out at the 2025 #NFLCombine 👏

Next stop: #NFLDraft 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/v4wKKmd6IE

— NFL Canada (@NFLCanada) March 2, 2025

This is the same Ayomanor that put the entire Stanford Cardinal offense on his back when he caught 13 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns against Colorado and Travis Hunter. With this weekend's performance, Ayomanor pushed himself into the first-round conversation with a team like the Los Angeles Rams as a possible destination.

Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State

It took some time, but finally, Sleeper got Jaylin Noel into their database just in time for the NFL Combine. After an impressive Senior Bowl, Noel was still flying under the radar. After last week, he is no longer a secret.

Let's look at his Combine performance, shall we? Noel's 41.5-inch vertical and 11-foot-2-inch broad jump were tops among receivers. Put those numbers together and get a composite explosion graded into the elite category. Factor in the 4.39 40-time, the 4.17 shuttle, and 6.82 3-cone times, and you get a 9.58 relative athletic score. 

Jaylin Noel 23 bench reps (most among WRs)

He was best or T-best in the bench, both jumps, had a great field workout and ran 4.39 with 6.82 3cone and 4.17 shuttle

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— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 2, 2025

Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Don't be surprised if you hear Matthew Golden's name atop some team's big board as the draft closes. Golden has helped his draft stock throughout the process, and his name appears to be firmly cemented in the first round of many mock drafts.

In Indianapolis, Golden posted the eighth-fastest all-time 40-yard dash time for a wide receiver, clocking in with a time of 4.29 seconds with a 10-yard split of 1.53 and a 20-yard split of 2.54. Rumor has it that he had a sprained ankle back in January and could run even faster at his Pro Day.

Wide Receiver Combine Losers

Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas

My father gave me plenty of great advice growing up. One particular piece of advice that lives rent-free in my head to this day is that sometimes it is better to keep your mouth shut and let others believe you are an idiot rather than open your mouth and prove them right.

Isaiah Bond, I wish my father had spoken to you before you talked about breaking Xavier Worthy's record at the Combine in the 40-yard dash, only to post a modest 4.39. There is nothing wrong with a 4.39 40-yard dash; heck, I can't even get from the couch to the TV in that time. 

Wide Receiver Name to Watch

Issac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas

I thought about sliding Tennessee wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. into this spot after his blazing 4.30 40-yard run, but ultimately, I wanted to dig a little deeper and give fantasy managers a player who is unlikely to be a fantasy football selection in most drafts but may be available as a high-priority free agent in many fantasy leagues.

That player is Arkansas playmaker Issac TeSlaa, whose name I have spelt wrong more times than I care to admit. Down in Indianapolis, TeSlaa put on a show. At 6-foot-4, 214 lbs, TeSlaa showed that he deserves some love after clocking a 4.44 40-yard time, a 39.5-inch vertical, and a 10-foot-9-inch broad jump. Add to his combine numbers, and you have the highest athleticism score (96) at the position, according to NextGen Stats.

Isaac TeSlaa is a WR prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.96 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 16 out of 3408 WR from 1987 to 2025.

Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/ZeBq0A5q6I pic.twitter.com/1DBcvzkTfV

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 1, 2025

Tight End Combine Winners

With Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, and Elijah Arroyo opting out of the Combine, a new hero had to rise from the ashes. Sadly, no tight end who participated this past weekend was able to post a SPORQ over the 90 percentile threshold, but that doesn't mean there aren't some players capable of producing for fantasy managers on Sunday.

Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon

The list of tight ends who helped themselves this weekend is short. Terrance Ferguson was far from spectacular, but unlike many of his peers, he didn't do anything to hurt his draft stock. Ferguson's 4.63 40-yard dash was tops among tight ends, leading to a speed score in the 79th percentile.

Tight End Combine Losers

Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas

While Gunnar Helm's testing numbers disappointed, the former Longhorns tight end rolled his ankle early in the day while running his 40-yard dash, didn't tell anyone, and participated throughout the rest of the drills. 

Here is a crazy Combine story: #Texas TE Gunnar Helm twisted his ankle on his false start on the 40-yard dash, then finished all the drills anyway. Said nothing until it was over. Had an MRI on Saturday to reveal a sprain. And will run again at his Pro Day. The pics are… yikes. pic.twitter.com/fi9Uus2ASa

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2025

Look for Helm to have a bounce-back performance at his Pro Day.

Tight End Name to Watch

Jalin Conyers, TE, Texas Tech

Of all the tight ends that participated this weekend, Jalin Conyers posted the highest SPORQ score thanks to a best-in-class 6.94 three-cone, 4.27 20-yard shuttle performances to go along with top four marks in both the broad and vertical jumps. The only tight ends since 2010 to post a better 3-come time than Conyers among tight ends tipping the scales over 260 pounds was Jimmy Graham back in 2010.

IDP Combine Winners

Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

Shemar Stewart cut some weight since the last time we saw him down in Mobile, Alabama, and it paid off. The former Aggie posted a relative athletic score of 9.99 out of 10, ranking as the third-highest score of 1,802 defensive ends between 1987 and 2025.

Shemar Stewart is a DE prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.99 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 3 out of 1802 DE from 1987 to 2025.

Splits projected, Times unofficial.https://t.co/r9HXsXwSH4 pic.twitter.com/V2jH2WF8EJ

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) February 27, 2025

Come Sundays, no NFL quarterbacks want to see an edge defender on the backside who can run a 4.60 40-yard dash at 267 lbs. I'm not here to say Stewart in Myles Garrett, but the measurables do draw comparisons. We love athletic freaks, and when an edge defender can jump higher than Julio Jones and Odell Beckham Jr., we are going to take notice.

Nick Emmanwori, SAF, South Carolina

I remember watching Byron Jones's Combine performance. He jumped out of the gym with a 12-foot-3-inch broad jump and positioned himself as a first-round selection. He fell in love at first sight for Jerry Jones. It's hard to imagine Nick Emmanwori not repeating history and having at least one general manager fall in love with him after his performance.

So Nick Emmanwori is close to Kam Chancellor’s build with better than Derwin James’ athleticism. Got it.

Lmaooo wut. pic.twitter.com/kdoLufqJTL

— Jon Helmkamp (@JonHelmkamp) February 28, 2025

Not only did Emmanwori produce at South Carolina, where he had four interceptions and three pass breakups while allowing zero touchdowns in 2024, but those combined numbers say we haven't seen the best Emmanwori has to offer. After posting a 4.38 40-yard time, a 43-inch vertical, and an 11-foot-6-inch broad jump, it would be a surprise if he propelled himself into a top 10 draft selection. I'm looking at you, Carolina.

Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Whatever you are looking for in the linebacker position, Jihaad Campbell has shown that he is more than capable of being that guy. With a 4.52 40, an 84th percentile speed score, and a 10-foot-7 broad jump, Campbell has drawn comparisons to Pro Bowl linebacker Fred Warner.

With sideline-to-sideline ability, along with a devastating pass rush, Campbell likely earned himself a first-round selection, and the team that selects him has a linebacker who is unlikely to come off the field.

Jihaad Campbell back pedal and react pic.twitter.com/qTqyFcKgcZ

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 28, 2025

IDP Combine Losers

Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia

Malaki Starks's inclusion on this list is most likely due to the fact that he had to test next to an athletic freak like Emmanwori this past weekend. Many considered Starks a solid first-round selection heading into the weekend, while Emmanwori was likely an early second. Having these two players test together was like parking a 2024 Kia Sorento (a fine car) next to a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, one of the best muscle cars of all time.

Luckily, Starks has some impressive film because his 33-inch vertical was the third-worst among the safeties that tested, while his 4.50 40-yard dash ranked 11th among the position.

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