There’s no better way for a prospective NFL player to impress scouts, coaches and general managers by setting themselves apart from the others with a record-setting effort during a combine drill.
Records were made to be broken, but will there be any new records set at the 2026 NFL combine this week?
More than 300 NFL prospects will showcase their skills ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in April.
Let's look back on the record-holders for each drill:
What is NFL combine 40-yard dash record?
Wide receiver Xavier Worthy set the combine record with a time of 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which led to him being selected with the 28th pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL Draft. Worthy broke a seven-year record previously held by wide receiver John Ross III in 2017.
- Xavier Worthy, WR: 4.21 seconds (2024)
- John Ross III, WR: 4.22 seconds (2017)
- Kalon Barnes, CB: 4.23 seconds (2022)
- Rondel Menendez, WR: 4.24 seconds (1999)
- Chris Johnson, RB: 4.24 seconds (2008)
- D.J. Turner, CB: 4.26 seconds (2023)
- Tariq Woolen, CB: 4.26 seconds (2022)
- Dri Archer, RB: 4.26 seconds (2014)
- Henry Ruggs III, WR: 4.27 seconds (2020)
- Stanford Routt, CB: 4.27 seconds (2005)
- Marquise Goodwin, WR: 4.27 seconds (2013)
What is NFL combine bench press record?
Justin Ernest, a defensive tackle from Eastern Kentucky, set the record of 51 reps in 1999. However, Ernest never played in the NFL.
The next highest is Stephen Paea, who had 49 reps of 225 pounds at the 2011 combine. He was a second-round pick by the Chicago Bears, and played seven seasons in the NFL.
At least 17 players have topped 40 reps. Here’s the list:
- DT Justin Ernest 51 reps (1999)
- DT Stephen Paea, 49 reps (2011)
- OL Mitch Petrus, 45 reps (2010)
- DL Mike Kudla, 45 reps (2006)
- DT Leif Larsen, 45 reps (2000)
- OG Netane Muti, 44 reps (2020)
- DT Dontari Poe, 44 reps (2012)
- DT Jeff Owens, 44 reps (2010)
- DL Brodrick Bunkley, 44 reps (2006)
- DT Harrison Phillips, 42 reps (2018)
- C Russell Bodine, 42 reps (2014)
- DL Tank Tyler, 42 reps (2007)
- DT Vita Vea, 41 reps (2018)
- C David Molk, 41 reps (2012)
- LB Terna Nande, 41 reps (2006)
- OL Justin Blalock, 40 reps (2007)
- OL Manny Ramirez, 40 reps (2007)
What is NFL combine broad jump record?
Cornerback Byron Jones broke a world record with a broad jump of 12 feet, 3 inches ahead of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played seven seasons in the league after being selected with the No. 27 pick by the Dallas Cowboys.
- CB Byron Jones, 12’3″ (2015)
- S Obi Melifonwu, 11’9″ (2017)
- WR Emanuel Hall, 11’9″ (2019)
- S Juan Thornhill, 11’9″ (2019)
- WR Miles Boykin 11’8” (2019)
- WR Donovan Peoples-Jones 11’7” (2020)
- WR Chris Conley 11’7” (2015)
- Jamie Collins 11’7” (2013)
What is NFL combine vertical jump record?
Safety Gerald Sensabaugh set the combine record with a 46-inch vertical jump in 2005, a half-inch more than outside linebacker Derrick Wake’s 45.5 vertical leap during the same combine. Sensabaugh played eight NFL seasons after being drafted in the fifth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- S Gerald Sensabaugh, 46.0 (2005)
- OLB Derrick Wake, 45.5 (2005)
- WR Chris Conley, 45.0 (2015)
- CB Donald Washington, 45.0 (2009)
- WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, 44.5 (2020)
- CB Byron Jones, 44.5 (2015)
- CB Quan Martin, 44.0 (2023)
- CB A.J. Jefferson, 44.0 (2010)
- S Obi Melifonwu, 44.0 (2017)
- S Juan Thornhill, 44.0 (2019)
What is NFL combine 20-yard shuttle record?
Kevin Kasper, a wide receiver from Iowa, finished the shuttle in 3.73 seconds in 2001. Kasper was drafted 190th overall by the Denver Broncos and played five seasons in the NFL.
- WR Kevin Kasper, 3.73 (2001)
- CB Dunta Robinson, 3.75 (2004)
- WR Deion Branch, 3.78 (2002)
- CB Dunta Robinson, 3.75 (2004)
- WR Brandin Cooks, 3.81 (2014)
- CB Jason Allen, 3.81 (2006)
- CB Bobby McCain, 3.82 (2015)
- CB B.W. Webb, 3.84 (2013)
- S Justin Simmons, 3.85 (2016)
- CB Desmond Trufant, 3.85 (2013)
What is NFL combine 3-cone drill record?
Cornerback Jordan Thomas ran the three-cone drill in 6.28 seconds in 2018. He was a sixth-round pick by the Houston Texans, playing three seasons.
- CB Jordan Thomas, 6.28 (2018)
- CB Cedrick Curry, 6.34 (2000)
- WR Jeffrey Maehl, 6.42 (2011)
- CB Buster Skrine, 6.44 (2011)
- WR Scott Long, 6.45 (2010)
- CB David Long Jr., 6.45 (2019)
- WR Dane Sanzenbacher, 6.46 (2011)
- S Daniel Sorensen, 6.46 (2014)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL combine records: Who holds the record for every event in history?