The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine’s top defensive prospects kicked off the festivities on Thursday with the defensive linemen – EDGE and IDL prospects – and LB prospects working out and concluded with defensive backs (CBs and safeties) participating in activities on Friday. SNS observed the drills, on-field exercises, and reviewed the measurements. Here are a few observations gathered on the defensive prospects assembled in Indianapolis.
IDL Observations
· Derrick Harmon / Oregon secured a first-round selection with his performance on Thursday. Harmon recorded an outstanding 4.95 40, including a very respectable 1.74 10-yard split. Although Harmon did not jump or participate in other measured drills, he participated in on-field exercises and moved exceptionally well at 6’4 & ½” / 313 / 34 & 3/8” Arms / 83 & ¾” Wingspan and has the size and athleticism to line up in a variety of spots along the line with the versatility to play in even or odd man fronts. Harmon will push to be the #2 IDL drafted behind Michigan’s Mason Graham in April.
· Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant (Michigan) did not work out on Thursday as both are recovering from injuries. Both got measured and conducted team interviews and anticipate they will work out at Michigan’s pro day in March.
· Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins / Georgia had an outstanding day on Thursday and will necessitate additional film study. Ingram-Dawkins is a tweener who will be graded by some teams as an IDL and by others as an EDGE and his performance on Thursday suggests he has the versatility to be deployed up and down the line. He ran an outstanding time of 4.86 seconds (with a fantastic 10-yard split of 1.69), vertical jumped an impressive 36” and recorded an outstanding three-cone drill time of 7.28 seconds at 6’4 & ¾” / 276 / 33 & ½” Arms / 82 & ¾” Wingspan. His on-field work validated his drill numbers as he moved easily and displayed natural bend and burst. Ingram-Dawkins was never a full-time starter on a loaded Bulldog defense but he looks like a future starter in the NFL. He should be drafted on day two in April.
· Darius Alexander / Toledo measured in at 6’3 & 7/8” / 305 / 34” Arms / 82 & 7/8” Wingspan and moved with natural athleticism during on-field exercises. He ran a great 4.95 40, with a solid 1.72 10-yard split and looks like an ideal 3T who will likely be a disruptive, one gap penetrating IDL at the next level.
EDGE Observations
· Abdul Carter / Penn State did not work out or get measured on Thursday after his medical evaluation identified a “stress reaction” in his foot. It will not require surgery and he is expected to work out at Penn State’s pro day in March. Carter is a candidate to go first overall on April 26th in Green Bay.
· James Pearce / Tennessee secured a likely first round pick on Thursday afternoon. Pearce is a pass rushing force who lacks some size for traditional 4-3 DE duties. Pearce measured in at 6’5 & ¼” / 245 / 32 & ¾” Arms / 80 & ¾” Wingspan and ran the fastest 40 time of any DL in Indianapolis – 4.47 40 with a blistering 1.56 10-yard split, which is indicative of his explosiveness and first step quickness. Pearce moved easily during the field exercises and looks like he has the agility and athleticism to line up as an OLB.
· Perhaps the most impressive performance displayed on Thursday was Landon Jackson / Arkansas. Jackson measured in at 6’6” / 264 / 33 & ¼” Arms / 83 & 5/8” Wingspan, ideal numbers for a 4-3 DE. Jackson absolutely dominated the drills, running a 4.68 40 with a good 10-yard split of 1.65 seconds. He then vertical jumped an outstanding 40.5,” nearly equaling the combine record set by Myles Garrett. Jackson moved well and demonstrated the ability to flatten and bend around the corner with the athleticism to cover ground quickly. Jackson may get drafted late in the first round after his performance on Saturday.
· Speaking of impressive workout numbers, Shemar Stewart / Texas A&M looks like the second coming of Myles Garrett, measuring in at 6’5” / 267 / 34 & 1/8” Arms / 84 & ¾” Wingspan, and recording an impressive 4.59 40 with a fantastic 10-yard split of 1.58 seconds. Stewart vertical jumped 40” and recorded a great broad jump of 10’11”. Stewart injured his hamstring during his 40 and could not participate in on-field exercises. That’s unfortunate because every scout expected these workout numbers. What everyone wanted to see was his movement skills. Specifically, how well he flattens, bends, and displays burst during field drills. Stewart may look like the second coming of Garrett, but he certainly does not have the production to back up his workout numbers with only three sacks and 7.5 TFLs over the last two seasons. He disappears for long stretches and is too easily neutralized by OL who are not nearly as gifted. Stewart still has a lot of work to do at his pro day if he wants to go in the first round in April.
LB Observations
· Jihaad Campbell / Alabama secured his position as the top off the ball LB available in this draft. Campbell combines the desired measureables (6’2 & 7/8” / 236 / 32 & 1/8” Arms / 80” Wingspan) with outstanding workout numbers – 4.52 40 (with an outstanding 1.53 10-yard split) and broad jumped 10’07”. Campbell was recruited as an elite EDGE rusher but was stuck behind two future NFL players – Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell, so the Alabama coaching staff converted him to off the ball LB to get him on the field. Campbell finally emerged as a force this last season as he finally got comfortable in space. He moved fluidly through field exercises and displayed the bend to play as an EDGE in the NFL. Campbell is a likely first round pick next month.
· Barrett Carter / Clemson chose not to run the 40-yard dash on Thursday, surprising since he plays fast on film. Carter did decide to complete the broad jump (9’08) and vertical jump (34.5”) and put up numbers that reflect the explosiveness that is seen on the field on Saturdays. Carter moved exceptionally well, looking smooth and fluid in field exercises. Assuming Carter runs a respectable 40 time (under 4.65) at the Clemson pro day, he should be the second LB drafted in April.
· Demetrius Knight / South Carolina was recruited to Georgia Tech as a QB but converted to LB to have an opportunity to get on the field. After transferring to South Carolina, Knight excelled on the field in 2024, earning an invitation to Indianapolis. His steady improvement continued on Thursday when he ran an outstanding 4.58 40, cleared 9’10” at the broad jump, and vertical jumped 31.5”. Knight measured in at 6’1 & ½” / 235 / 32 & 5/8” Arms / 80 & ½” Wingspan, ideal numbers to line up at ILB in the NFL. More importantly, Knight moved smoothly through all drills, displaying very little tightness in his hips – he was much more athletic than anticipated during field exercises Thursday evening. Knight is a likely to get drafted early on day three the last weekend in April.
· Jay Higgins / Iowa had a disappointing combine performance, if not unsurprising, and may not get drafted next month – if you were only to look at his measurements and times recorded on Thursday. Higgins measured in at 6’ & 1/8 / 224 / 31” Arms / 75” Wingspan and ran the slowest 40-yard time amongst LBs on Thursday (4.82 seconds). These numbers, collectively, do not meet NFL standards. But watch his film and what you see is Higgins always near the ball in space. His instincts and tackling ability are elite and allows him to play much faster than he times. For those NFL teams needing a positive combine number to hang their hats on regarding drafting Higgins, he ran the fastest three-cone drill time of any LB in Indy – 7.01 seconds, indicative of good change of direction skills and ability to navigate through trash. It would be helpful to Higgins’ draft stock to improve his 40 time. Regardless, Higgins is a great football player between the hash marks. He looks like a future NFL starter, even if he has to earn it as an UDFA.
CB Observations
· The two premiere talents at the CB position, Travis Hunter / Colorado and Will Johnson / Michigan did not work out on Friday afternoon, preferring to wait until their pro days in March. As expected, Benjamin Morrison / Notre Dame did not work out as he recovers from a hip injury suffered in October. Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron / Texas and Jacob Parrish / Kansas State ran and jumped but did not participate in on-field exercises on Friday afternoon. However, that may be enough for both CBs to call it a successful trip to Indianapolis. Barron ran a 4.39 40, vertical jumped a solid 35”, and broad jumped a respectable 10’ 3” and Parrish performed even better, recording a 4.35 40, vertical jumped 37.5”, and broad jumped 10’ 9” Friday afternoon. Barron and Parrish should be off the board in the first 60 picks in April.
· The best workout put on by a CB on Friday afternoon was Maxwell Hairston / Kentucky, who checked every box on the list. Hairston has good size and length (5’11 & ¼” / 183 / 31” Arms / 76 & 7/8” Wingspan), posted the fastest 40 time of any defensive prospect in Indianapolis (4.28 seconds), and displayed explosiveness and leaping ability in the vertical and broad jumps, going for 39.5” and 10’ 9”, respectively. Hairston then translated those fantastic numbers into the on-field exercises, looking smooth and fluid with the loose hips and light feet desired at CB. Hairston could go in the first 40 picks next month.
· Quincy Riley / Louisville did not put on a splashy or exciting workout. He just moved and looked like he did on film over the last two seasons at Louisville. Riley lacks the desired height but his length and reach are good (5’10 & ½” / 194 / 31” Arms / 75” Wingspan) and he ran a solid 4.48 40 on Friday. Riley moved fluidly in space and showed good burst during the coverage drills. Riley is a future starter and could hear his name called in the first round in Green Bay.
· Rutgers has provided quality DBs to the NFL for years and this spring offers another fast-rising prospect. Robert Longerbeam lacks some desired mass but has very good length (5’11 / 175 / 31 & ½” Arms / 76 & ½” Wingspan) and speed (4.39 40) while displaying explosiveness (an amazing 11’02” broad jump) and leaping ability (36.5” vertical jump). Longerbeam moved well, flipping his hips and bursting towards the ball easily during field exercises. Longerbeam looks like a solid mid-round pick and possible contributor as a rookie.
Safety Observations
· Nick Emmanwori / South Carolina put on a tremendous show on Friday afternoon. Emmanwori has rare size for a safety (6’3 & 1/8 / 220 / 32 & ½” Arms / 78 & ¼” Wingspan) but moves like a much smaller man (4.38 40) and has elite leaping ability (recording an absurd 43” vertical jump) and explosiveness (a freakish 11’06” broad jump). Emmanwori chose not to participate in on-field work, resting on his numbers. Emmanwori will likely be the biggest mover up draft boards and will now push Georgia’s Malaki Starks as the first safety to get drafted. He looks like a lock as a first round draft pick next month.
· Xavier Watts / Notre Dame and Malachi Moore / Alabama did not work out, arriving in Indianapolis to get measured and conduct physicals, preferring to wait util their pro days to work out. Lathan Ransom / Ohio State did not run or jump on Friday but participated in field work. Ransom’s movement skills and range was evident, as was his explosiveness. OSU’s pro day will be a must-see event as most Buckeyes are not running or jumping this weekend. Considering they just completed a National Championship run a little over a month ago, no one can blame them. With a good workout in March, Ransom could be drafted in the first 50 picks and looks like a solid contributor as a rookie next season.
· Billy Bowman / Oklahoma does not have the size or length of the other top safeties in this class (5’9 & 7/8” / 192 / 28 & ½” Arms / 70 & ¾” Wingspan) but he makes up for any physical deficiencies with superb instincts and ball skills. Bowman recorded an excellent 40-yard dash time (4.43 seconds) and displayed great leaping ability (35.5” vertical jump) and explosiveness (10’ 3” broad jump), attributes he consistently displays on Saturday afternoons. Bowman demonstrated the fluidity and movement skills during field exercises that tease his ability as a slot CB. The NFL loves their “triangle numbers” (height/weight/arm length) and this may suppress Bowman’s draft value. But whoever selects Bowman is getting a difference maker at the back end of their defense.
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