2025 NFL Combine Winners and Losers:

Headline: 2025 NFL Combine winners and losers: Running backs have field day, Isaiah Bond doesn't meet expectations

The NFL Scouting Combine took place Thursday, Feb. 27 and ended Sunday, March 2, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Winners

EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Although projected first-round pick James Pierce Jr. recorded an unbelievable 4.47 seconds 40-yard dash, Stewart lit up the combine in every other metric. The Texas A&M product had a 40-inch vertical and a 10-foot-11-inch broad jump, surpassing Pierce in each metric.

While Stewart didn’t match the production of the top edge rushers in this year’s draft, his natural athleticism is exceptional, making him a boom-or-bust candidate in the early to mid first round.

CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

Having the fastest 40-yard dash among all defensive backs at 4.28 seconds, Hairston cemented himself as one of the most athletic cornerbacks in this draft. He is a strong tackler and can be an effective blitzer. His elite closing speed and instincts make him an intriguing round two prospect.

S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

Standing at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Emmanwori’s 4.38 seconds 40-yard dash was one of the most impressive runs at the combine. He recorded the best vertical jump, broad jump and bench press reps among all safeties. Combining this performance with his tape makes me believe that Emmanwori may leap Malaki Starks as the first safety off the board.

Running Backs

14 out of the 24 running backs who ran the 40-yard dash ran at least a sub 4.50. Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech) and Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), are two of my top performing running backs from Saturday. They showed off their agility and athleticism in drills, but the majority of the running backs also tested well.

Washington Commanders

Saturday evening, the Commanders traded a fifth round pick to the 49ers for wide receiver Deebo Samuel. The Commanders now have a variety of ways to go about drafting defensive players early in this year's draft. General Manager, Adam Peters, has $82 million to play with this offseason, and if there’s anyone who can get the best out of Samuel, it’s an innovative offensive coordinator like Kliff Kingsbury.

Losers

OT Will Campbell, LSU

Campbell has gotten much criticism for his 32 and 5/8th inch arm length, because the standard is anywhere above 34 inches. His 4.98 seconds 40-yard dash, 32 inch vertical and a 9-foot-5 inch broad jump are all very impressive for someone who’s 6-foot-6, 319 pounds. Although his arm length is lacking, I still believe teams think he can play left tackle, so I don’t see him slipping outside of the top 15.

QBs not named Cam Ward or Shadeur Sanders

Quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart, Kyle McCord, Will Howard and Dillon Gabriel all had chances to solidify themselves as the next best quarterback in the draft class.

None of them truly stood out in drills, they all had some good throws, but none were exceptional. Brady Cook (Missouri) and Tyler Shough (Louisville) had good 40-yard dashes, but nothing that would boost their stock above the others.

WR Isaiah Bond, Texas

This is a pretty easy pick for me. If you’re only going to run the 40-yard dash at the combine, you better show up, especially if you talk about breaking the record. Bond ran an official 4.39 seconds 40-yard dash, a tenth-of-a-second slower than his former Texas teammate, Matthew Golden.

EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

Green, who recorded 17 sacks last season at Marshall, did not participate in the combine due to hamstring tightness. Green is on this list because Landon Jackson, Shemar Stewart and James Pierce Jr. tested very well on Thursday. With these three edge rushers potentially climbing the boards, we could see Green slip in the first round.

Vinny Jones is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him please email vtj5006@psu.edu