The 2024 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis came and went this past week as the next generation of NFL stars prepare for April’s draft. This year’s class put up impressive numbers to say the least and fans saw one iconic record torn down in lightning quick fashion.
Over 300 prospects attended this year’s combine, but there are only 259 selections in the 2024 draft—so every drill counts. With that, let’s take a look at the best marks from each of the seven drills in this year’s combine as well as their respective all-time records
40-yard dash
The 40-yard dash is the most popular drill at the scouting combine and is typically the most exciting. The event is the premiere showcase for collegiate speedsters, and this year fans saw the fastest 40 time in event history. Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy set the all-time mark at 4.21 seconds, breaking John Ross’s record of 4.22 set back in 2017.
| Name | Position | School | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
Xavier Worthy |
WR |
Texas |
4.21 |
Nate Wiggins |
CB |
Clemson |
4.28 |
Quinyon Mitchell |
CB |
Toledo |
4.33 |
Bryan Thomas Jr. |
WR |
LSU |
4.33 |
Issac Guerendo |
RB |
Louisville |
4.33 |
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
10-yard split
The 10-yard split is the 40-yard dash’s younger sibling, to put it simply. Less popular, but important in it’s own way as it is more focused on a player’s ability to start rather than showcase their top speed. The all-time record in this event was set in 2008 by Chris Johnson when he ran it in just 1.40 seconds. Ole Miss’s Deantre Prince led all prospects this year when he ran the short distance in just 1.47 seconds.
| Name | Position | School | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
Deantre Prince |
CB |
Ole Miss |
1.47 |
Decamerion Richardson |
CB |
Mississippi State |
1.48 |
Nehemiah Pritchett |
CB |
Auburn |
1.49 |
Xavier Worthy |
WR |
Texas |
1.49 |
Willie Drew |
CB |
Virginia State |
1.49 |
Vertical jump
The vertical jump, another drill that the lighter players dominate, is simple enough: players jump as high as they can and their mark is measured by the top of their fingertips at the apex of your leap. The all-time record for this event was set all the way in 2005 by safety Gerald Sensabaugh at 46 inches. To put it in perspective, no prospect came close to that height this year.
| Name | Position | School | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
Elijah Jones |
CB |
Boston College |
42.50 |
Malik Washington |
WR |
Virginia |
42.50 |
Jalen Coker |
WR |
Holy Cross |
42.50 |
Daequan Hardy |
CB |
Penn Sate |
42.50 |
Andru Phillips |
CB |
Kentucky |
42.00 |
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
Broad jump
The broad jump record of 12 feet and three inches belongs to former Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones, who set the mark in 2015. Jones went on to be a first-round pick and it’s likely in part due to the explosive athleticism he showcased in this very drill.
| Name | Position | School | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
Tyler Owens |
SAF |
Texas Tech |
12’2” |
Max Melton |
CB |
Rutgers |
11’4” |
Adonai Mitchell |
WR |
Texas |
11’4” |
Andru Phillips |
CB |
Kentucky |
11’3” |
Jaylen Wright |
RB |
Tennessee |
11’2” |
Three-cone drill
The three-cone drill record is somewhat recent as it was set just six years ago by former Oklahoma cornerback Jordan Thomas who completed it in just 6.28 seconds. He would go on to be selected in the sixth round of the draft by the Houston Texans. The previous record-holder was Oregon wideout Jeffrey Maehl, who completed the drill in 6.42 seconds in 2011.
| Name | Position | School | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
Kamari Lassiter |
CB |
Georgia |
6.62 |
Ricky Pearsall |
WR |
Florida |
6.64 |
Luke McCaffrey |
WR |
Rice |
6.70 |
Isaiah Williams |
WR |
Illinois |
6.75 |
Tyrone Tracy Jr. |
RB |
Purdue |
6.81 |
20-yard shuttle
The longest-standing record from all the combine drills belongs to none other than Dunta Robinson, who ran the 20-yard shuttle in 3.75 seconds all the way back in 2004. The former South Carolina cornerback went on to be selected with the No. 10 pick in the NFL draft by the Texans.
| Name | Position | School | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
Myles Harden |
CB |
South Dakota |
3.98 |
Mike Sainristil |
CB |
Michigan |
4.01 |
Luke McCaffrey |
WR |
Rice |
4.02 |
Dylan Laube |
RB |
New Hampshire |
4.02 |
Rome Odunze |
WR |
Washington |
4.03 |
Bench press
Lastly, the coveted bench press. The ultimate test of upper body strength has always belonged to the lineman and that fact doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon. The all-time record for benching 225 pounds in this event belongs to former Oregon State defensive tackle Stephen Pea, who repped it out an absurd 49 times in 2011. For comparison, no prospect in combine history has eclipsed 45 reps other than Pea.
| Name | Position | School | Reps at 225 pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
Beaux Limmer |
C |
Arkansas |
39 |
Jordan Jefferson |
DT |
LSU |
34 |
Jarrett Kingston |
G |
USC |
32 |
Jared Verse |
EDGE |
FSU |
31 |
Kingsley Suamataia |
OT |
BYU |
31 |
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
The 2024 NFL draft is set to begin April 25 in Detroit.
