The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine: Day 1 – The Big Men Take Center Stage
Indianapolis. Lucas Oil Stadium.
The air is thick with anticipation, the kind you feel in a dramatic film when you know something big is about to happen. A collection of hulking defensive linemen and linebackers—some with the weight of entire franchises on their shoulders—take to the field. The stakes? Multi-million dollar paychecks, legacy-shaping draft positions, and the promise of gridiron immortality.
This is Day 1 of the NFL’s version of “The Godfather” meets “Raging Bull.” Every rep, every sprint, every moment is under the microscope. A fast 40? Stock soars. A slow one? Back to the drawing board.
And today? The big men stole the show.
Edge Rushers & Defensive Linemen: The Freaks Come Out to Play
They say football games are won in the trenches, and if that’s true, today’s showcase may have altered the fate of multiple franchises. The EDGE rushers and defensive tackles hit the field, and let’s just say—some of these guys aren’t built like normal humans.
Shemar Stewart – The Monster in Indy
You watch a guy like Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), and you wonder:
“Is this a defensive end? Or some genetically engineered experiment designed to chase quarterbacks?”
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.59 seconds at 267 pounds.
- Vertical Jump: 40 inches.
- Broad Jump: 10’11” (Best among edge rushers).
- Wingspan: 84 3/4 inches.
This is Von Miller meets Myles Garrett territory. The explosiveness, the bend, the power—it’s all there. A handful of teams came into Indy wondering if Stewart was worth a top-10 pick. By the end of the night, the only question left was how high does he go?
James Pearce Jr. – Hoodie On, Business Mode
Nothing says confidence like running your 40-yard dash with a hoodie on. That’s exactly what James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee) did, and he backed up the swag with a time of 4.47 seconds.
For reference? That’s faster than most wide receivers.
Pearce is the kind of guy who makes offensive coordinators lose sleep. He’s got the speed of a cornerback and the power of a defensive tackle. He’s twitchy, aggressive, and has a first step that should be illegal.
Quote from a scout in attendance:
“I don’t know how you block that. You don’t. You just hope your QB gets the ball out in time.”
Defensive Tackles: The Big Boys Move
The world of defensive tackles is split into two categories: the athletes and the space-eaters. Today? We saw both kinds.
Landon Jackson (Arkansas) – The Skywalker
At 6’6” and 264 pounds, Jackson is a giant, but he moves like a tight end.
His vertical? 40.5 inches. At 264 pounds.
To put that in perspective, he jumps higher than some of the NBA’s elite guards.
Jackson isn’t just a big dude who runs fast—he’s a technician. His hands are violent, his footwork is precise, and his explosiveness off the line is something that’s going to make offensive tackles miserable.
Ty Robinson (Nebraska) – A Mountain That Moves
At 6’6” and 310 pounds, Robinson isn’t supposed to run a 4.83 in the 40-yard dash. But guess what? He did.
That’s quicker than some linebackers, and when you’re 6’6” and 310, that’s nightmare fuel for offensive linemen.
The Nebraska product might not be as polished as some other top DTs, but he’s got raw power, he’s got lateral quickness, and he’s got a motor that won’t quit.
Linebackers: Speed Kills
Today’s NFL doesn’t need run-stuffing linebackers who can’t move in space. The new prototype? Long, fast, and built to cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game.
Jihaad Campbell (Alabama) – The Prototype
If you could build a linebacker in a lab, you’d probably end up with Jihaad Campbell.
- 6’2” | 235 lbs | 4.52 in the 40
- Vertical Jump: 34 inches
- Sideline-to-sideline speed? Elite.
Campbell plays angry, he’s instinctive, and when he finds the football, he finishes plays. Every team running a hybrid defense will be looking at this guy as a Swiss Army knife at the second level.
Teddye Buchanan (Cal) – The Sleeper
If there’s a guy who just made himself some money, it’s Teddye Buchanan.
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.60
- Vertical: 40 inches
- Instincts: Off the charts
Buchanan isn’t a household name yet, but after today? He’s firmly on the radar as a guy who’s going to be a problem on Sundays.
The Fastest 40-Yard Dash Times (Day 1)
| Player | Position | School | 40 Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Pearce Jr. | EDGE | Tennessee | 4.47 |
| Eugene Asante | LB | Auburn | 4.48 |
| Shemar Stewart | EDGE | Texas A&M | 4.59 |
| Teddye Buchanan | LB | Cal | 4.60 |
| Tyler Baron | EDGE | Miami | 4.62 |
These times? Scary.
This isn’t just speed for speed’s sake. These are pass rushers and linebackers who can move like safeties.
Stock Watch: Who’s Rising, Who’s Falling?
Stock Up
âś… Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M, EDGE): Certified freak. Could be a top-5 pick now.
âś… James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee, EDGE): 4.47 speed at 245 pounds is outrageous.
âś… Ty Robinson (Nebraska, DT): Moving like a linebacker at 310 lbs. Instant draft riser.
âś… Jihaad Campbell (Alabama, LB): Elite athleticism and instincts.
Stock Down
❌ Jack Sawyer (Ohio State, EDGE): Short arms, struggled in agility drills.
❌ Mason Graham (Michigan, DT): Size questions after coming in under 300 pounds.
❌ Nick Martin (Oklahoma State, LB): Smaller linebacker who didn’t test well.
What’s Next?
Tomorrow, it’s defensive backs and tight ends.
- Can someone run sub-4.3 in the 40?
- Which tight end emerges as a legit Round 1 target?
- Will we get another viral “freak athlete” moment?
This is where draft boards start to take shape. Every rep is a job interview. Every second is a résumé.
Welcome to The Greatest Show Before the Show.
Buckle up—this is just getting started.
- – Joseph Angel | Chief NFL Draft Analyst for TheNSR Network
