The Athletic has stay protection of the 2026 NFL Combine.
The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week, and many of the players I anticipate to show heads are the similar gamers who featured in my annual Freaks List of school soccer phenoms. Others have wowed trainers and fellow gamers of their mix coaching.
Based on a number of the intel I’ve gathered throughout the previous 12 months, together with a lot I’ve heard in the previous month, listed below are the 40 gamers The Athletic is most intrigued to see carry out in Indianapolis.
1. Kenyon Sadiq, tight finish, Oregon: The junior from Idaho, who arrived in Eugene at 220 kilos, ranked No. 11 final summer time on the Freaks List and may dazzle scouts along with his explosiveness. Last summer time, he vertical jumped 41 1/2 inches, bench pressed 435 kilos and energy cleaned 365 whereas weighing 255. Expect him to be lighter at the mix; he ought to soar larger in the vertical and submit eye-popping pace and agility numbers.
2. Sonny Styles, linebacker, Ohio State: The Buckeyes have two freaky linebackers on this draft. Styles in all probability gained’t go fairly as excessive in the first spherical as teammate Arvell Reese however he’ll in all probability go larger in the vertical and additional in the broad bounce. At 6-4, 243 kilos, he broad jumped 11-0 and verticaled 40 inches. He’d additionally topped 23 MPH on the GPS, going 23.2.
3. Kendrick Law, extensive receiver, Kentucky: The 6-0, 203-pounder was No. 14 on the Freaks List in 2024. He started his school profession at Alabama, the place he had 33 catches and one TD in three seasons earlier than transferring to UK, the place he had 53 catches for 530 yards and three TDs final season together with eight carries for 53 yards. Law is constructed extra like a operating again and is ridiculously robust for a wideout. He bench pressed 465 kilos whereas at Bama and squatted 655. He additionally hit 23.2 mph and has elite explosiveness. Don’t be shocked if he runs the 40 in the excessive 4.2s.
4. Jack Kelly, LB, BYU: Kelly had one among the extra attention-grabbing paths to the mix. The 6-2, 242-pound linebacker is a former BMX filth bike champion who had 13.5 TFLs, 10 sacks and two pressured fumbles in 2025. Kelly is predicted to run the 40 in the low 4.5s however ought to actually excel in the shuttles, displaying elite short-area quickness. He ought to be round 4.00 in the brief shuttle. No linebacker has clocked underneath 4.23 in 5 years in Indianapolis.
5. Zane Durant, defensive sort out, Penn State: The Nittany Lions are all the time well-represented on the Freaks List, and this twitchy D-lineman from Florida was No. 8 in 2025. At 6-1, 290 kilos, he ran a 4.66 60 with a 4.43 shuttle. He additionally benched 425 kilos and squatted 660. He’s anticipated to weigh round 295 kilos and just lately ran a blazing 1.62-second 10-yard break up.
6. David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech: The Stanford switch was unblockable virtually all season (14.5 sacks, 19.5 TFLs, three pressured fumbles) for the much-improved Red Raiders protection. At 6-3, 250 kilos, he has elite burst and only a ton of juice coming off the edge. He hit 22.16 mph final 12 months and in addition bench pressed 405 kilos. His movie can be simply as spectacular as his testing numbers will be.
David Bailey ought to carry out properly at the mix after a standout school profession at a number of faculties. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
7. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt: Diego Pavia wasn’t the solely stud the Commodores obtained from New Mexico State. Stowers, a former four-star QB recruit, blossomed as a receiver after switching positions. He appears extra like an enormous wideout than an in-line tight finish, however at 6-4, 235 kilos, the former Texas 6A state high-jump champion is a uncommon athlete. He was No. 15 on the Freaks List in 2025 after broad leaping 11-3 and vertical leaping 39 inches. He additionally had energy cleaned 360 kilos. I’ve heard he would possibly vertical north of 40 inches in Indianapolis.
8. Kadyn Proctor, offensive lineman, Alabama: Last summer time, he was the largest Freak on my listing at 6-7, 366 kilos. He ranked No. 2 with exceptional bounce numbers at that dimension (he vertical jumped 32 inches and broad jumped 9-3). His vert was as a lot or greater than 5 of the wideouts who had been at final 12 months’s mix and matched Colorado’s LaJohntay Wester, who weighed 203 kilos lower than Proctor. The Alabama large additionally had big-time energy numbers, squatting 815 kilos, benching 535 and energy cleansing 405. Consistency on the subject definitely is a query mark. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how Proctor performs in the draft course of.
9. Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State: Folks inside the program had been giddy about Reese earlier than the season. They had been spot on as he proved to be a revelation. Some coaches in the Big Ten felt like Reese was the largest drawback for them, not star security Caleb Downs. The 6-4, 243-pound Reese (69 tackles, 6.5 sacks in 2025) was a menace. He in all probability gained’t put up fairly as eye-popping testing numbers as Styles, however he ought to broad bounce near 11 toes and vertical round 40 inches, and figures to run in the 4.4s. He gained’t flip 21 till the finish of August.
10. Peter Woods, DL, Clemson: The 6-3, 310-pounder was top-five on the Freaks List final 12 months, after operating a 4.86 40 with a vertical of 33 inches to go along with a 490-pound bench press and 34 reps at 225. He additionally energy cleaned 385 and squatted 700. It was a really disappointing 12 months for the Tigers, however we anticipate Woods, who went from 8.5 TFLs final 12 months to only 3.5, to do very properly in the draft run-up.
11. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State: The No. 83 man on final 12 months’s Freaks List had a formidable exhibiting at the Senior Bowl. The 6-3, 198-pounder, who spent two seasons at Valdosta State, had 71 catches for 1004 yards and 6 TDs final 12 months, tearing up the Sun Belt. Hurst ran a laser-timed 4.51 40 final offseason and broad jumped 10-8 with a three-cone time of 6.93. We wouldn’t be shocked if he topped a few of these already lofty numbers at the mix.
12. Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma: The former Purdue wideout was a two-time Freaks List man. At 5-9, 190, Burks (57 catches for 620 yards and 4 TDs in 2025) is exceptionally robust for a wideout, having benched 400 kilos. He’s additionally very explosive and is predicted to run in the 4.3s and soar in the bounce exams.
13. Logan Jones, middle, Iowa: The Hawkeyes have had far more than their share of Freak O-linemen over the years, and Jones, a former highschool basketball standout (No. 7 on the listing final 12 months) is the newest. At 6-1, 303 kilos, Jones set the program file final offseason with a 705-pound squat. He additionally holds the place file with a 36.6-inch vertical, a 1.53 10-yard break up and a 4.09 shuttle. His 470-pound dangle clear can be a place file.
14. Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State: The tiny speedster at 5-9, 170 kilos was No. 91 on final 12 months’s Freaks List, however he’s my No. 1 option to run the quickest 40 at the mix. A former highschool QB who gained a Texas 3A 200-meter title operating 21.27, Thompson clocked a blazing 23.7 mph final offseason. The switch from Oklahoma had a breakout season for MSU in 2025, catching 57 passes for 1,054 yards and 6 TDs.
15. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati: The No. 48 Freak in 2025 started his school profession at Central Arkansas. Golday at 6-4 1/2, 240 kilos, ran a 4.24 shuttle time, which might’ve been quicker than any linebacker at final 12 months’s mix. He broad jumped 10-7, which might’ve been second-best there. His 36-inch vertical and 1.54-second 10-yard break up additionally stand out as did his 24 reps on the bench with 225 kilos.
16. Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati: A switch from Division II Lindenwood in Missouri, Caldwell blew the Bearcat employees away when he broad jumped 11-9 final 12 months at 6-4, 208 kilos. That was seven inches longer than some other wideout bounce at the mix in 2025. He’s nonetheless a fairly uncooked receiver, however he made an influence for the improved Bearcats, catching 32 passes for 478 yards and 6 touchdowns. He vertical jumped 36.5 inches final 12 months at UC. We’ve heard he in all probability gained’t broad bounce fairly as far however nonetheless is predicted to be over 11-feet and in addition would possibly bounce a bit larger in the vertical.
17. Justin Jefferson, Alabama, LB: The speedy linebacker was second on the Tide with 85 tackles to go along with 6.5 TFLs and three sacks in 2025. The 6-1, 218-pounder is predicted to be the quickest linebacker in Indianapolis and one among the quickest gamers at the mix. Don’t be shocked if he runs the 40 in the excessive 4.3s.
18. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State: Trey Lance’s child brother had a terrific profession with the Bison. In 2024, the youthful Lance set an NDSU file with 17 landing receptions, which led the FCS. Last season, Lance averaged 21.2 yards per catch, having 51 receptions for 1,079 yards and eight TDs. The 6-3, 207-pound wideout vertical jumped 40 inches final offseason and broad jumped 10-10, rating No. 34 on the Freaks List in 2025.
19. Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State: The 6-4, 325-pound Orange, who was No. 25 on the Freaks List after bench urgent 450 kilos and vertical leaping 34 inches in the offseason, had one among the most spectacular performances in his profession final fall in opposition to rival Iowa.
20. Mike Washington, operating again, Arkansas: Jeremiyah Love isn’t the solely prime again who can fly. Washington’s an even bigger again at 6-1, 227. I hear he ought to run the 40 in the 4.4s. Someone described Washington, who went from Buffalo to New Mexico State to the Razorbacks, this month as “super explosive” and will be in the operating for pound-for-pound tester amongst the operating backs.
21. Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame: He ranked No. 66 on the Freaks List in 2024 whereas at Virginia. At 6-4, 218 kilos, Fields is tremendous robust, having close-grip bench pressed 365 kilos and 21 reps of 225 whereas at Virginia. He additionally vertical jumped 38 inches and did a 10-7 1/2 broad bounce. His shuttle instances had been spectacular, too, going 4.18 in the professional agility and 6.81 in the 3-cone drill. The athleticism confirmed up for the Irish in 2025; he caught 36 passes for 630 yards and 5 TDs.
22. Jaren Kanak, TE-H-back, Oklahoma: The transformed linebacker had 44 receptions for 533 yards in 2025. He’ll be one among the quickest guys in Indianapolis. Kanak, at 6-1, 233 kilos, as soon as ran a blistering 10.37 100 meters in highschool. He is predicted to leap round 40 inches in the vertical.
23. George Gumbs, edge, Florida: He spent three seasons at NIU earlier than taking part in the final two years at UF, the place he had 14.5 TFLs and seven.5 sacks. The 6-4, 245-pound Chicago native has lengthy arms and is actually lean, along with his physique fats south of 5 p.c. His brief shuttle instances are anticipated to be elite, as is his vertical bounce. His broad bounce ought to be round 10-4.
Mauigoa was the whole lot as marketed for the resurgent Hurricanes. (Bryan Bennett / Getty Images)
24. Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami: An enormous recruit for Mario Cristobal, the former five-star lived as much as all the recruiting hype as he proved to be a constructing block for the Canes resurgence. The 6-6, 335-pounder, ranked No. 16 on the Freaks List in 2025, clocked a 1.57 flying 10-yard break up. His energy output registered virtually 10,000 watts, by far the most on the staff at virtually 1,000 watts greater than the subsequent participant. His vertical bounce was a formidable 30 1/2 inches.
25. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame: The greatest operating again in school soccer wasn’t on the Freaks List final 12 months as a result of he was in a restoration part of his coaching when the Irish had been offseason testing. The 6-0, 214-pound former Missouri state 100-meter champion, who ran a ten.76 in highschool, has great explosiveness and athleticism and may check very properly.
26. John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming: He was No. 54 on the Freaks List after the 6-5, 250-pound former highschool basketball star vertical jumped 37 inches and broad jumped 10-8. He hit 21.6 mph on the GPS. He solely performed one season of soccer earlier than coming to varsity and had some spectacular moments for the Cowboys, however he’s nonetheless fairly uncooked. In 2025, he had 24 catches for 217 yards and one TD.
27. Chris Hilton Jr., WR, LSU: The former highschool monitor star has tantalizing athleticism, however the No. 32 man on the 2025 Freaks List, struggled to remain wholesome in Baton Rouge. But he’s a uncommon athlete. The 6-0, 190-pounder, a former three-time Louisiana state excessive bounce champion, has hit 23.7 mph on the GPS, an all-time LSU file. He additionally clocked a 1.37 10-yard break up off of a 1-yard lead-in, one other program file, and was timed in the excessive 4.2s in the 40.
28. Darrell Jackson, DT, Florida State: This is an enormous, intriguing expertise who had a really up-and-down school profession. He was No. 5 on the Freaks List in 2024 earlier than the Seminoles unraveled. He completed his profession on a excessive be aware, making a career-best 45 tackles with three TFLs. At 6-5, 330 kilos, Jackson is a huge of a person who has gorgeous athleticism for his dimension. His arm size is 36 inches, and he has 11-inch palms. He’s been clocked at 20.6 mph in pads. His energy coach stated a few of his agility check outcomes could be good for tight ends and linebackers.
29. Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama: The 6-2, 290-pound Washington switch, No. 20 on the Freaks List in 2025, is a powerhouse in the weight room. Last offseason, he benched 505 kilos, power-cleaned 385 and squatted 675. He additionally vertical jumped 33, broad jumped 9-5 and hit 19.47 mph on the GPS.
30. Zachariah Branch, WR-KR, Georgia: An enormous recruit for USC, Branch was No. 49 on the Freaks List in 2024. The 5-10, 180-pounder has some spectacular moments at UGA, catching 81 passes for 811 yards and 6 TDs in 2025, and he ought to check very properly. In school, he was clocked at properly over 23 mph and had a 10-yard break up of 1.44 seconds.
31. Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan: Another freaky tight finish prospect, Klein, at 6-6, 250, got here in at No. 35 final summer time, up from No. 90 in 2024. He hit 21.75 MPH and broad jumped 9-7. More impressively, final offseason he ran 6.89 in the 3-cone drill, which might’ve been quicker than any tight finish in Indy in 2025. Klein’s shuttle time of 4.25 final offseason would’ve additionally been the quickest by any tight finish at the mix. He had 24 catches for 248 yards and one TD final season.
32. Dillon Thieneman, defensive again, Oregon: There have been so many good gamers who began at Purdue after which bailed for an even bigger place, and this do-everything DB is the newest. He made 44 tackles with two INTs for the Ducks. He ranked No. 96 in 2024 on the Freaks List as a 207-pound 19-year-old who hit 22.37 mph and clocked a 4.03 professional agility time. He additionally did a Turkish get-up with 135 kilos and a Romanian deadlift of 315 kilos for 5 reps. He’s anticipated to hit round 40 inches in the vertical bounce and may have wonderful shuttle numbers.
33. Jalen Walthall, WR, Incarnate Word: He caught 155 passes for 22 TDs in the previous two seasons mixed. At No. 94 on the Freaks List final 12 months, the 6-1 1/2, 198-pounder, who gained a Texas state title in the triple bounce with a leap of fifty toes, 4 inches in highschool, started his school profession at Hawaii. He vertical jumped 40 inches final summer time and broad jumped 10-7.
34. Grayson Halton, DL, Oklahoma: The Sooners had a really salty protection final season, and this staff captain performed a significant position. Hilton had seven TFLs, 3.5 sacks and a team-high seven QB hurries. At 6-2, 293 kilos, I’ve heard he would possibly run the 40 in the 4.8s.
35. Gabe Jacas, edge, Illinois: A former state champion wrestler from Florida, Jacas was No. 59 on the Freaks List final 12 months, after he dropped 7 p.c of his physique fats from a 12 months earlier, down from 12 p.c on his 6-3, 270-pound body. Jacas, who led the Big Ten in 2025 with 11 sacks and in addition had three pressured fumbles, bench pressed 225 kilos for over 30 reps and hit 20 mph on the GPS.
36. Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt: He was a terrific participant for the Panthers and appeared excellent at the Senior Bowl. The undersized linebacker (6-0, 225) was No. 65 on the Freaks List final 12 months after clocking 21.34 mph in-game on a 59-yard decide six in opposition to Syracuse in 2024. Louis additionally broad jumped 10-3 final offseason.
37. Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame: The Irish hold cranking out tight ends and Raridon is coming off a stable season the place he caught 32 passes for 482 yards. The 6-6, 255-pound Raridon, No. 85 on the 2025 Freaks List, displayed spectacular explosiveness final offseason, vertical leaping 34 inches and broad leaping 9-10.
38. Emmanuel Pregnon, OL, Oregon: Pregnon will be one among the strongest males at the mix. He was No. 84 on the Freaks List in 2024 after he bench pressed 10 reps of 315 kilos whereas at USC. He ran a 1.68 10-yard break up, which was particularly spectacular for a 6-5, 320-pound participant.
39. Cole Payton, quarterback, North Dakota State: An enormous operating menace for the Bison at 6-3, 235 kilos, Payton ranked No. 95 on the Freaks List in 2024 after vertical leaping 38 inches and broad leaping 10-0, drawing comparisons to Taysom Hill. Payton took an enormous step in his improvement final 12 months, connecting on 72 p.c of his passes with 16 landing passes and simply 4 INTs. He additionally ran for 777 yards and 13 extra TDs.
40. David Gusta, DL, Kentucky: The former Washington State Cougar had three TFLs whereas beginning 12 video games for UK final season. The 6-3, 313-pounder ought to be one among the strongest at the mix and rep in the excessive 30s at 225 on the bench. He additionally has a good shot at operating the 40s in the excessive 4.9s and vertical leaping round 32 inches.
