2025 NFL Combine – Biggest Winners and Losers
The 2025 NFL Combine, held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and concluding on March 2, 2025, was a defining moment for hundreds of NFL prospects. Despite missing stars like Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, Ashton Jeanty, and Travis Hunter, the event still showcased jaw-dropping performances and critical missteps. With athletic testing, on-field drills, and interviews shaping perceptions, the combine offered NFL scouts, coaches, and GMs a clearer picture ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft (April 24-26, Green Bay). Here’s an in-depth look at the biggest winners and losers from this year’s showcase.
2025 NFL Combine Winners: Rising Stars
Shemar Stewart (EDGE, Texas A&M): A Freak Athlete Emerges
Shemar Stewart turned heads with a standout combine performance. At 6-foot-5 and 281 pounds, the Texas A&M edge rusher posted a 40-inch vertical jump (96th percentile), a 10-foot-11 broad jump (98th percentile), and a 4.59-second 40-yard dash. These Myles Garrett-esque numbers, despite a hamstring tweak, solidified his top-10 status. Stewart’s bold claim—“Stats don’t tell the whole story… Production is overrated”—may resonate with teams prioritizing traits over college output.
Matthew Golden (WR, Texas): Speed That Steals the Show
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden ran a blistering 4.29-second 40-yard dash, the fastest among receivers on Saturday. At 6-foot-0 and 199 pounds, his speed, paired with a 987-yard, nine-touchdown 2024 season, vaulted him from a late first-round projection to a mid-first-round lock. Outshining teammate Isaiah Bond, Golden’s combine cemented his status as a dynamic NFL playmaker.
Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina): Historic Athleticism at Safety
South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori delivered a historic combine for defensive backs. At 6-foot-4½ and 215 pounds, he ran a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash and posted elite jump numbers (exact figures TBD). His size-speed combo and fluid drills screamed first-round talent, making him a late first-round candidate for teams seeking a versatile safety.
Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky): Fastest Man in Indy
Kentucky corner Maxwell Hairston ran the combine’s fastest 4.28-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-1 and 183 pounds. With a 39½-inch vertical and 10-foot-9 broad jump, he erased doubts about his speed post-injury (shoulder, 2024). Hairston’s five picks in 2023 and this workout make him a top-40 lock with Day 1 upside.
James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee): Top-5 Talent Shines
Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. brought personality and performance, running a hoodie-clad 4.47-second 40-yard dash—tops among Day 1 linemen. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, his 10-foot-3 broad jump and elite college pass-rush win rate keep him in the top-5 conversation, despite off-field questions.
Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama): The Modern Linebacker Prototype
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell dominated as the top off-ball linebacker. At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash with a 10-foot-7 broad jump. His 32.5-inch arms and versatility—shown in pass-rush drills—draw Fred Warner comparisons, locking him into the first round.
Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss): QB Stock Soars
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart seized the spotlight in a thin quarterback class. At 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds, he wowed in throwing drills with accuracy and velocity, boosting his stock from a second-tier prospect to a late first-round or early second-round possibility. Notably, he threw a ball 58 MPH in the velocity drills. For reference, Patrick Mahomes can throw 62 MPH. Ultimately, Dart’s poise could make him a Day 1 steal.
2025 NFL Combine Losers: Falling Stocks
Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado): Opt-Out Backfires
Shedeur Sanders’ choice to skip combine workouts may haunt him. Despite his pedigree and confidence, his absence let Dart and Jalen Milroe shine. NFL whispers of a Day 2 ceiling—citing Colorado’s sloppy offense—grew louder without a counterpunch. Sanders’ stock hinges on his pro day now.
Isaiah Bond (WR, Texas): Hype Falls Flat
Texas receiver Isaiah Bond arrived with buzz to challenge Xavier Worthy’s 4.21-second 40 record but disappointed with a slower time (TBD, but behind Golden’s 4.29). At 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds, his lackluster combine dropped him from a first-round projection to Day 2, needing a big pro day to rebound.
Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State): Injury Clouds Top-5 Hopes
Penn State’s Abdul Carter, a projected top-5 pick, sat out drills with a shoulder injury and a new foot stress reaction. While his tape remains elite, his absence raised durability flags for teams like the Titans (No. 1 pick). Carter’s stock may dip slightly as health concerns linger.
Will Johnson (CB, Michigan): Measurables Raise Eyebrows
Michigan corner Will Johnson measured at 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds but disappointed with 30⅛-inch arms—short for an outside CB. Sidelined since October 2024, he didn’t test, ceding ground to Hairston and Darien Porter (4.30 40). Johnson’s top-10 status is at risk without a strong pro day.
Chris Paul Jr. (LB, Ole Miss): Size Hurts Stock
Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr. struggled in a stacked linebacker class. Under 6-foot-1 and 222 pounds with sub-30-inch arms, his middling athletic testing didn’t compensate. Despite solid tape, Paul’s combine exposed limitations, dropping him to a likely Day 3 pick.
Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas): Arm Strength Disappoints
Texas QB Quinn Ewers had a lukewarm combine. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, his throwing session showed good accuracy but lacked elite arm strength. After a turnover-plagued 2024 CFP, Ewers slid from a potential QB3 to a Day 2 project, overshadowed by Dart and Milroe.
Jack Sawyer (EDGE, Ohio State): Measurables Underwhelm
Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer, at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, posted short 31⅝-inch arms (fifth percentile since 1999) and lackluster testing numbers. His drill work lacked explosiveness, failing to elevate his solid college production into first-round territory. Sawyer looks like a Day 2 pick now.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 NFL Combine
Why the NFL Combine Matters for Draft Stock
The 2025 NFL Combine underscored its role as a make-or-break event. Winners like Stewart, Golden, and Emmanwori turned elite performances into draft capital, while opt-outs like Sanders and injury absences like Carter left gaps for others to fill. Underperformers like Bond and Sawyer saw their hype fade, proving the combine’s power to reshape narratives.
What’s Next: Pro Days and the Draft
In the end, as the process shifts to pro days and private workouts, these winners and losers will refine their cases. The 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay will reveal the full impact. However, the combine has set the stage for these talented 2025 NFL Draft prospects. From freak athletes to surprising flops, Indianapolis delivered another chapter in the journey to the NFL.
Trending Now
