What does the NFL combine vertical jump test measure?

The NFL combine vertical jump measures lower body explosive power and athleticism. It is performed as a standing vertical jump with no approach steps. Scouts use it to evaluate a player's explosiveness relative to their size and position. The average vertical jump at the NFL combine is approximately 33 to 35 inches, with elite jumpers reaching 40 inches or more.

What is the NFL combine broad jump record?

The NFL combine broad jump record is 11 feet 5 inches, set by Byron Jones in 2015. The average broad jump at the combine is approximately 9 feet 6 inches to 10 feet 2 inches depending on position. Skill positions like wide receivers and defensive backs typically jump the farthest.

Does the NFL combine matter?

Yes, the NFL combine matters significantly for draft positioning, though it is not the only factor. Strong combine performances can raise a player's draft stock by one to two rounds. Poor performances can drop a player similarly. However, college game tape remains the most important factor. The combine is most impactful for borderline prospects where measurables can confirm or cast doubt on what scouts saw on film.

NFL Combine Scores Explained — What Each Test Really Means

Q: What is a good NFL combine score?

A good NFL combine score depends on the test and position. For the 40-yard dash, under 4.5 seconds is excellent for skill positions. For the vertical jump, over 36 inches is excellent for most positions. For the broad jump, over 10 feet is considered very good. For bench press, 20 or more reps at 225 pounds is considered strong. Scouts weigh each test differently depending on the position being evaluated.

Q: How many reps of 225 do NFL players bench press?

The average number of 225-pound bench press reps at the NFL combine varies significantly by position. Offensive and defensive linemen average 25 to 35 reps, linebackers average 20 to 25 reps, and skill position players like wide receivers and defensive backs average 10 to 18 reps. The all-time combine record is 49 reps, set by Justin Ernest in 1999.

Q: What is the hardest NFL combine test?

Most players and scouts consider the 40-yard dash to be the most scrutinized combine test because it is the most heavily weighted in draft evaluations and the results are widely publicized. The three-cone drill is considered the most technically demanding test as it requires change of direction, coordination, and football-specific movement patterns that are difficult to peak for in a short preparation window.

What Is the NFL Combine?

The NFL Scouting Combine is an annual event held in Indianapolis where college football's top prospects are evaluated by all 32 NFL teams before the draft. It's part physical testing, part medical evaluation, and part interview process — but the athletic testing numbers are what get the most attention.

Every prospect runs the same tests under identical conditions. The results are measured, recorded, and distributed to all teams simultaneously. A strong combine performance can raise a player's draft stock by one to two rounds. A poor one can cost millions of dollars in contract value.

There are six primary athletic tests: the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, bench press, three-cone drill, and 20-yard shuttle. Each measures something distinct. Here's exactly what each one tells scouts — and what good, great, and record-breaking looks like at every position.

Test 1: The 40-Yard Dash

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40-Yard Dash

Straight-line speed & acceleration

What it measures: Linear speed and acceleration over 40 yards — the approximate distance of a deep route, a breakaway run, or a full-speed pursuit. It's the most publicized combine number and carries enormous weight in draft evaluations for skill positions. The first 10 yards measure pure acceleration; the final 20 measure top-end speed.

4.77s

Combine avg (all positions)

4.47s

CB / WR avg

4.22s

All-time record (John Ross, 2017)

Position	Average	Good	Elite
Cornerback	4.47s	4.38s	Under 4.32s
Wide Receiver	4.48s	4.38s	Under 4.33s
Running Back	4.49s	4.40s	Under 4.35s
Safety	4.53s	4.44s	Under 4.38s
Linebacker	4.68s	4.56s	Under 4.50s
Tight End	4.70s	4.58s	Under 4.52s
Defensive End	4.74s	4.62s	Under 4.55s
Quarterback	4.83s	4.65s	Under 4.55s
Defensive Tackle	4.99s	4.82s	Under 4.72s
Offensive Lineman	5.10s	4.95s	Under 4.82s

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Context: Hand-timed 40s at high school combines are typically 0.2–0.3 seconds faster than electronically timed results. If you ran a 4.6 at your high school combine, your electronic equivalent is closer to 4.8. Always clarify which timing method was used when comparing your time to NFL numbers.

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Test 2: The Vertical Jump

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Vertical Jump

Lower body explosiveness

What it measures: Standing vertical jump — no approach, no steps. Pure lower body explosive power. Scouts use it as a proxy for athleticism and the ability to win jump balls, make explosive cuts, and accelerate out of breaks. A high vertical relative to bodyweight signals exceptional fast-twitch muscle fiber dominance.

33.5"

Combine avg (all positions)

38–40"

Elite range

46"

All-time record (Gerald Sensabaugh, 2005)

Position	Average	Good	Elite
Wide Receiver	36.5"	39"	42"+
Cornerback	36"	39"	42"+
Running Back	35"	38"	41"+
Safety	35"	37"	40"+
Linebacker	33"	36"	39"+
Tight End	32"	35"	38"+
Quarterback	31"	34"	37"+
Defensive End	31"	34"	37"+
Defensive Tackle	28"	31"	34"+
Offensive Lineman	27"	30"	33"+

All-Time Record

Gerald Sensabaugh — 46 inches (2005). A safety from North Carolina, Sensabaugh's vertical remains the highest ever recorded at the combine. For reference, the average NBA player — a population selected almost entirely for athleticism — has a standing vertical of 28 inches. Sensabaugh's 46-inch standing vertical is extraordinary by any measure.

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Test 3: The Broad Jump

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Broad Jump

Horizontal explosive power

What it measures: Standing horizontal jump — both feet together, jump as far forward as possible and stick the landing. Where the vertical jump measures upward explosiveness, the broad jump measures forward explosiveness — more directly related to acceleration and first-step burst in a straight line. It's one of the best predictors of acceleration mechanics. Use our Broad Jump Speed Predictor to see what your broad jump distance predicts for your 40-yard dash time.

9'8"

Combine avg (all positions)

10'4"+

Elite range

11'5"

All-time record (Byron Jones, 2015)

All-Time Record

Byron Jones — 11 feet 5 inches (2015). The cornerback from Connecticut shattered the previous record by nearly a foot. Jones's jump was so extraordinary it was initially thought to be a measurement error. It remains one of the most jaw-dropping athletic feats in combine history — the equivalent of jumping over a compact car from a standing start.

Position	Average	Good	Elite
Wide Receiver	10'2"	10'6"	10'10"+
Cornerback	10'2"	10'6"	10'10"+
Running Back	10'1"	10'5"	10'9"+
Safety	9'11"	10'3"	10'7"+
Linebacker	9'8"	10'0"	10'4"+
Tight End	9'7"	9'11"	10'3"+
Defensive End	9'5"	9'9"	10'1"+
Defensive Tackle	8'11"	9'4"	9'9"+
Offensive Lineman	8'8"	9'1"	9'6"+

Test 4: The 225-Pound Bench Press

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225 lb Bench Press

Upper body strength endurance

What it measures: Maximum repetitions at 225 pounds. Unlike most combine tests this is a muscular endurance test rather than a pure strength test — it measures how many times you can press a fixed weight, not your maximum. Scouts use it primarily for linemen and linebackers where upper body strength and the ability to disengage blocks is critical. It's largely irrelevant for skill positions.

~22

OL / DL avg reps

~14

LB / TE avg reps

All-time record (Justin Ernest, 1999)

Position	Average Reps	Good	Elite
Offensive Lineman	25–30	32+	38+
Defensive Tackle	25–32	34+	40+
Defensive End	20–26	28+	34+
Linebacker	20–25	27+	32+
Tight End	16–22	24+	28+
Running Back	14–20	22+	26+
Safety	12–18	20+	24+
Quarterback	10–16	18+	22+
Wide Receiver / CB	10–16	18+	22+

Test 5: The Three-Cone Drill (L Drill)

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Three-Cone Drill (L Drill)

Change of direction & agility

What it measures: Agility, change of direction, and body control. Also called the L drill because of the path the athlete runs. Three cones are placed in an L-shape — one at the start, one 5 yards ahead, and one 5 yards to the right. The athlete runs to the first cone and back, then weaves around all three cones in a figure-eight pattern. It's the most technically demanding combine test and the one that most closely mimics football movement — sharp cuts, redirecting at full speed, and accelerating out of breaks.

~7.0s

Combine avg (skill positions)

Under 6.7s

Elite range

6.28s

All-time record (Chris Johnson, 2008)

How the L Drill Works — Step by Step

The three-cone drill route is specific and must be run correctly to be timed. Here's the exact path:

Start at cone A in a three-point stance
Sprint 5 yards to cone B, touch the ground
Return 5 yards back to cone A, touch the ground
Sprint 5 yards to cone B again
Turn right and run around the outside of cone B
Sprint 5 yards to cone C, weave around its outside
Return 5 yards back to cone B, weave around its inside
Finish by sprinting back 5 yards through the start line

The weaving pattern around the cones is what makes this drill technically demanding — athletes who round corners or take poor angles lose significant time. Tight, controlled turns are the key to a fast L drill time.

L Drill Averages by Position

Position	Average	Good	Elite
Cornerback	6.68s	6.55s	Under 6.45s
Wide Receiver	6.76s	6.62s	Under 6.50s
Running Back	6.91s	6.75s	Under 6.60s
Safety	6.89s	6.74s	Under 6.60s
Linebacker	7.10s	6.92s	Under 6.78s
Tight End	7.10s	6.95s	Under 6.80s
Quarterback	7.15s	6.98s	Under 6.85s
Defensive End	7.22s	7.05s	Under 6.90s
Defensive Tackle	7.72s	7.50s	Under 7.30s
Offensive Lineman	7.90s	7.65s	Under 7.45s

Why Scouts Value the L Drill

The L drill is highly predictive for cornerbacks, linebackers, and tight ends — positions that require rapid change of direction in space. A CB who runs a 6.45 L drill can mirror receivers through breaks far more effectively than one who runs a 6.85. For pass rushers, a fast L drill suggests the hip flexibility and quickness to turn the corner on pass rushing moves.

The drill is less predictive for offensive linemen and pure speed positions like wide receiver — a WR's route-running ability in games correlates more with catching ability and release technique than with L drill times.

One important note: the L drill requires significant technique to run correctly. Athletes who practice the pattern before the combine often run significantly faster times than those who run it cold. Unlike the 40-yard dash where technique matters less, the L drill rewards preparation specifically.

Test 6: The 20-Yard Shuttle

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20-Yard Shuttle

Short-area quickness & lateral speed

What it measures: Short-area quickness and lateral agility. Starting from the middle, the athlete runs 5 yards to one side, touches the line, sprints 10 yards to the opposite side, touches that line, then sprints back 5 yards to finish. It measures first-step quickness, lateral speed, and the ability to change direction under full speed — critical for defensive backs, linebackers, and receivers running underneath routes.

~4.30s

Avg for skill positions

Under 4.10s

Elite range

3.73s

All-time record (Deion Sanders, 1989)

How Scouts Actually Use Combine Scores

No single test determines a player's draft position. Scouts look at the full profile — how each test score relates to the others and whether the numbers match what they saw on film.

The Most Important Tests by Position

Wide Receiver / Cornerback: 40-yard dash and vertical jump carry the most weight. These positions require elite straight-line speed and the ability to win jump balls. A sub-4.4 forty and a 38-inch vertical will get a scout's attention immediately.
Running Back: The 40-yard dash, broad jump, and three-cone drill. Running backs need a combination of straight-line speed and change-of-direction ability. A fast 40 with a poor three-cone suggests a speed back who struggles in space.
Linebacker: The three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and bench press. Linebackers need to close in space, change direction, and shed blocks. The agility tests reveal these qualities more than pure straight-line speed.
Offensive Lineman: Bench press, broad jump, and three-cone drill. Scouts want to see strength, explosion off the line, and the footwork to redirect in pass protection.
Quarterback: The 40-yard dash is less important for QBs than for any other position. Arm talent, accuracy, and football intelligence dominate evaluations. However, mobility QBs who run a sub-4.6 create a new dimension that scouts factor in heavily.

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The tape still wins: Combine numbers open doors and confirm suspicions — they rarely change a scout's fundamental evaluation of a player. A receiver who runs a 4.3 but drops passes in college will still be seen as a liability. A linebacker who runs a 4.9 but diagnoses plays instantly and tackles cleanly will still get drafted. The combine is context, not conclusion.

How Do You Compare to NFL Combine Athletes?

Most people significantly overestimate how close they are to combine-level athleticism. Here's a reality check by test:

Test	Average Person	Good Athlete	NFL Combine Avg
40-Yard Dash	5.5–6.5s	4.8–5.2s	4.77s
Vertical Jump	16–20"	24–28"	33.5"
Broad Jump	6'6"–7'6"	8'0"–9'0"	9'8"
225 Bench Reps	0–8	10–16	~20

The gap between a good recreational athlete and an NFL combine athlete is enormous. It represents years of elite-level training, genetic gifts in muscle fiber composition and body proportions, and a lifetime of sport-specific development. This isn't discouraging — it's context that makes combine performances genuinely awe-inspiring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good NFL combine score?

It depends entirely on the test and position. For skill positions, a good combine is a sub-4.5 forty, a vertical over 36 inches, and a broad jump over 10 feet. For linemen, a good combine is 25+ reps on bench, a sub-5.0 forty, and agility times under 7.5 seconds on the three-cone. The word "good" always has to be defined relative to what scouts expect at each position.

Does the combine matter for undrafted players?

Yes — possibly even more for undrafted prospects than top picks. A standout combine performance from a player who was projected to go undrafted can generate enough interest to get them drafted in the later rounds, or at minimum result in multiple teams competing for their undrafted free agent rights. The combine is where unknown players get found.

How many reps of 225 do NFL players bench press?

It varies enormously by position. Offensive and defensive linemen average 25–32 reps. Linebackers average 20–25. Skill positions like wide receivers and defensive backs average 10–18. The all-time record is 49 reps by Justin Ernest in 1999. Most untrained adult males can do 0–8 reps, giving you a sense of how far above average combine athletes are.

Can you improve your combine scores significantly?

Yes — particularly the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump. Research shows that targeted training in the 8–16 weeks before a combine can improve the 40-yard dash by 0.1–0.3 seconds, the vertical jump by 3–6 inches, and the broad jump by 6–12 inches. The bench press is more dependent on long-term strength building. The agility tests improve most from sport-specific drills and technique work.

What is the hardest NFL combine test?

Most players and coaches consider the three-cone drill the most technically demanding because it requires precise footwork, body control, and change-of-direction skill that is difficult to peak for quickly. The 40-yard dash is the most high-pressure because it's the most publicized and the results are broadcast instantly to every team and media outlet simultaneously.

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