The upcoming 2025 NFL draft is fast approaching, leaving less than two months for top prospects to enhance their draft positioning. The prime opportunity to do so is at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. While some like WR/CB Travis Hunter, DE Abdul Carter, and RB Ashton Jeanty chose not to partake in drills at this year’s event, a multitude of potential draftees gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium to showcase their talents. Day 1 kicked off with defensive linemen and linebackers taking the spotlight. Who improved their draft stock, and who may have hurt it? Here are the winners and losers from Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Combine according to USA TODAY Sports:
Winners
James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
Tennessee’s edge rusher, James Pearce Jr., improvised by wearing a hoodie during his 40-yard dash after forgetting his T-shirt in his hotel room. However, this did not hinder him as he clocked in at 4.50 seconds on his first attempt, the fastest time for defensive linemen that day. Pearce outdid himself on his second try, achieving a time of 4.47 seconds. His remarkable speed likely boosted his draft stock, with projections placing him in the final pick of the first round.
Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
Known as @jumpboy.marr on Instagram, Stewart from Texas A&M displayed his athleticism with a broad jump of 10 feet, 11 inches, the best of the day. He also recorded the second-highest vertical jump at 40 inches and the third-best 40-yard dash for edge rushers at 4.59 seconds. Unfortunately, Stewart’s day ended prematurely due to a hamstring tweak during his first 40-yard dash attempt.
Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas
Jackson, a 6-foot-6, 264-pounder, showcased his exceptional athleticism with a 40.5-inch vertical jump, the highest for a defensive lineman weighing 260 pounds or more since Myles Garrett in 2017. Additionally, he ran a 4.68-second 40-yard dash and achieved a 10-foot, 9-inch broad jump, further solidifying his impressive performance.
Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA
Medrano stood out with the fastest 40-yard dash time of the night at 4.46 seconds, narrowly beating Pearce. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound linebacker also notched a 10-foot, 5-inch broad jump.
Losers
Injuries sideline top players
Several top prospects were sidelined due to nagging injuries on Thursday. Penn State’s Abdul Carter, projected to go No. 2 overall by USA TODAY Sports, had already opted out of drills due to a lingering shoulder injury sustained in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. Additional tests were conducted on Wednesday to assess his condition.
An examination showed that Carter has a “stress reaction in his right foot” that might necessitate surgery. Carter, opting to defer surgery in favor of participating in his pro day at a later date, is not the sole injured player. Notably, Marshall’s standout DE Mike Green (hamstring tightness), Michigan’s DT Kenneth Grant (hamstring strain), and Michigan’s DT Mason Graham (left heel bruise) were among those unable to partake in on-field activities on Thursday due to injuries. The Penn State Nittany Lions’ Abdul Carter, a defensive end, displayed a reaction of elation after sacking Maryland Terrapins’ quarterback MJ Morris during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium.
During the NFL scouting combine, Smael Mondon Jr., a linebacker from Georgia, experienced a painful moment when a pass struck him in the face while attempting to catch it to conclude the shuffle, sprint, and change of direction drill. The ball hit Mondon in the eye, causing him to walk off the field holding his face. Additionally, Mondon missed another catch during the wave drill, though he otherwise put on an impressive performance. He showcased a remarkable 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump, outperforming all off-ball linebackers. This broad jump achievement ranked in the 96th percentile for linebackers and the 95th percentile for all positions since 1999.
In a surprising turn of events, NFL insider Ian Rapoport found himself at the center of attention during the NFL Combine after engaging in a verbal altercation with FOX and Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz at a Starbucks in Indianapolis. Rich Eisen jokingly introduced Rapoport as the “Jake Paul of NFL Network” during the combine broadcast, emphasizing that no physical altercation took place during the heated exchange between Rapoport and Schultz. The incident even caught the attention of Charles Barkley, who humorously commented on the precariousness of Starbucks on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” pregame show.
Providing quick access to comprehensive news coverage, the USA TODAY app is a valuable resource for staying informed. Download the app for access to award-winning journalism, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper, and more.
