The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine kicked off in Indianapolis on Thursday, and as always, the anticipation was high. Scouts, coaches, and front-office executives packed Lucas Oil Stadium, eager to get a firsthand look at the next wave of NFL talent. While skill position players and defensive backs often steal the spotlight with blazing 40-yard dash times and jaw-dropping agility drills, there was still plenty of excitement among the defensive linemen and linebackers on display.
Even though defensive linemen don’t typically dominate the speed-focused drills, there were a few standouts who made their presence felt. Several players took full advantage of the opportunity to showcase their athleticism, explosiveness, and raw potential. Let’s break down the biggest winners from Day 1 of the combine.
Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas – The Sky’s the Limit
Standing at a towering 6’6 and weighing in at 264 pounds, Landon Jackson already commands attention. But on Thursday, he made sure no one could ignore him. Jackson soared through his vertical jump, reaching an astonishing height that put him in elite company.
Only three other defensive linemen in combine history have ever weighed over 260 pounds and recorded a vertical of 40 inches or higher. That exclusive list includes former No. 1 overall picks Mario Williams and Myles Garrett. Now, Jackson joins them, along with fellow 2025 draft prospect Shemar Stewart. With numbers like these, Jackson is cementing himself as one of the most athletic edge rushers in this draft class. His stock is only trending upward.
Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M – Living Up to the Hype
Shemar Stewart came into the combine with a lot to prove. Despite recording just 1.5 sacks per season at Texas A&M, the former Aggies standout has been generating serious first-round buzz. Why? His ridiculous athleticism.
If Thursday was any indication, the hype is real. Stewart didn’t just join Jackson in the rare 260-pound, 40-inch vertical club—he put up one of the most impressive performances for a defensive end in recent memory. Scouts were quick to draw comparisons to Myles Garrett, and with Stewart’s blend of size, speed, and explosiveness, it’s easy to see why. He’s proving that his raw athletic ability alone makes him a player worth watching.
James Pearce, DE, Tennessee – Speed Kills
The 40-yard dash isn’t the end-all-be-all for pass rushers, but when a defensive end clocks in at an absurdly fast time, people take notice. James Pearce did just that.
At 6’5 and 245 pounds, Pearce flew down the track in an eye-popping 4.47 seconds. That was a full tenth of a second faster than any other defensive lineman on Thursday. His 31-inch vertical wasn’t as impressive, which raises some concerns about his overall explosiveness, but that kind of straight-line speed is rare for an edge rusher. NFL teams value quick-twitch athletes who can bend around the edge, and Pearce just made a strong case for himself.
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama – The Next Fred Warner?
Hours before he even took the field, Jihaad Campbell was already receiving high praise. NFL Network’s draft expert Daniel Jeremiah compared him to San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner. Talk about setting the bar high.
Campbell didn’t disappoint. The former Alabama linebacker put up impressive numbers across the board, including a 127-inch broad jump and a 4.52-second 40-yard dash with a 1.53-second 10-yard split. Those are elite numbers for a linebacker, and they confirm what many scouts already believed—Campbell is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker with the tools to be a difference-maker at the next level.
Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska – A Big Man Who Can Move
Defensive tackles don’t usually turn heads in speed drills, but Ty Robinson did just that. The former Nebraska Cornhusker posted a defensive tackle-leading 4.83-second 40-yard dash and hit an incredible 20.64 miles per hour on the GPS tracker.
For a guy who spends most of his time battling in the trenches, that kind of speed is a huge bonus. Interior defensive linemen who can generate pressure while also having the agility to chase down ball carriers are a valuable commodity in today’s NFL. Robinson may not be a household name yet, but he made a strong impression on Thursday.
Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA – From Walk-On to Star
Carson Schwesinger’s journey to the NFL is nothing short of inspiring. The UCLA linebacker began his college career as a walk-on, barely seeing the field for his first three seasons. Then, in 2024, everything changed—he exploded onto the scene as a unanimous All-American.
At the combine, he kept that momentum going. Schwesinger weighed in at 242 pounds, up from his listed 225 pounds at UCLA, and didn’t seem to lose any of his athleticism in the process. He posted a stellar 39.5-inch vertical jump, proving that his added weight isn’t slowing him down. Unfortunately, his day was cut short due to a hamstring issue, but he still showed enough to get scouts excited. His pro day will be crucial, but Thursday’s performance was a great start.
What’s Next?
The first day of drills at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine gave us plenty to talk about, but the excitement is far from over. With quarterbacks, receivers, and defensive backs still set to take the field, there’s plenty more action ahead.
For the defensive linemen and linebackers who stood out, Thursday was just the beginning. Scouts will now go back to the film, comparing these athletic testing numbers with on-field production. For guys like Landon Jackson and Shemar Stewart, the athletic upside is undeniable. For others, like Carson Schwesinger, the focus will be on proving consistency and durability.
The NFL Draft is still weeks away, but the picture is starting to take shape. If Thursday was any indication, teams looking for defensive playmakers won’t be disappointed this year.
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