Remarkable Athleticism
Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson (40.5 inches) and Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart (40.0 inches) became just the third and fourth defensive linemen over 260 pounds to register a vertical jump of at least 40 inches. The only others to achieve this feat were Mario Williams (2006) and Myles Garrett (2017), both of whom were No. 1 overall picks.
Stewart, in particular, presents a fascinating evaluation for teams. His physical attributes are elite, but his production—just 4.5 sacks over the past three seasons—raises questions about his on-field impact.
High Praise for Tashard Choice
Texas running back Jaydon Blue had strong words for new Lions running backs coach Tashard Choice, calling him “a genius” when it comes to coaching the position. Choice previously worked with Blue at Texas and also coached Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs during his time at Georgia Tech.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell echoed the praise earlier this week, emphasizing Choice’s ability to develop running backs.
“He’s gifted,” Campbell said. “He’s played the position, coached at the college level, and understands our game. He knows Gibbs well, having coached him before, which helps. I also think he’ll be great for David Montgomery. He’s going to bring a lot to our team.”
Lightning-Fast 40 Time
Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. made a strong impression during Thursday’s testing. Known for his explosiveness off the edge, Pearce racked up 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons with the Volunteers.
Weighing in at 245 pounds, he posted a blazing 4.47-second 40-yard dash—the fastest time among defensive linemen. He also looked smooth in field drills, potentially solidifying his status as a top-half first-round pick.
Lions Get Some Love
Missouri’s Luther Burden III, one of the top receiver prospects in this draft, has been compared to Garrett Wilson. When asked Friday to name his five favorite NFL receivers, he included both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Meanwhile, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty named his top three current NFL backs, listing Jahmyr Gibbs alongside Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson.
Dynamic and Versatile
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell is quickly emerging as one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft. With explosive athleticism and the ability to play multiple positions, he’s the type of player a team like Detroit could highly covet. Campbell has the versatility to line up at all three linebacker spots and even stayed after drills to work with the edge rushers.
At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, he posted impressive numbers—5.0 sacks, 117 tackles, and a 4.52-second 40-yard dash. He moved fluidly in drills and could thrive in a defense like Kelvin Sheppard’s, contributing in multiple roles.
Overlooked but Confident
With much of the pre-draft quarterback conversation centered around Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart isn’t ready to take a backseat. While most rankings place him as the third-best QB prospect, Dart made it clear on Friday that he has unwavering confidence in his abilities.
He emphasized his track record of winning at every level and highlighted the intangibles that make him stand out. Dart also holds the Ole Miss record with 10,617 career passing yards, further proving his impact on the field.
Big Goals for the 40-Yard Dash
Several players are aiming for a blazing 40-yard dash time this weekend, but Texas’ Isaiah Bond is especially confident. On Friday, he boldly stated his goal of breaking Xavier Worthy’s 4.22-second record from last year, predicting he could hit 4.20 or even faster.
Meanwhile, Oregon’s Tez Johnson didn’t make any specific predictions but delivered a memorable quote: “If you blink, you might miss me.”
Standout Edge Rusher
Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku put up impressive numbers last season, recording 16.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. At 6-foot-2 ½ and 248 pounds, he showcases exceptional burst and quickness on film, which was reinforced by his testing on Thursday.
Ezeiruaku posted a 6.94-second three-cone drill and a 4.19-second short shuttle—both the fastest times among all defensive linemen—highlighting his agility and explosiveness.
Relentless Alabama Work Ethic
Jalen Milroe and Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold faced plenty of competitive battles in practice during their time at Alabama. Speaking at the Combine on Friday, Milroe praised his former teammate’s dedication and discipline.
“People don’t realize how tough Alabama’s fourth-quarter program is,” Milroe said. “We prepared by running nearly six miles every day and doing hundreds of sprints to get our bodies right. We spent a lot of time together, and he’s someone who puts everything into football—someone I truly respect and admire.”
Versatile Playmaker with Upside
TCU’s Savion Williams is a fascinating prospect with plenty of potential for an innovative offensive scheme. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, he showcased his versatility in college, lining up at receiver, taking snaps at running back, operating in the wildcat, and even returning kicks.
Last season, Williams recorded 611 receiving yards and six touchdowns while adding 322 rushing yards (averaging 6.3 yards per carry) and six more scores. His dynamic skill set has drawn comparisons to Cordarrelle Patterson, highlighting his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.