By Chris Marler
The NFL Scouting Combine began on-field workouts Thursday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium, with defensive linemen and linebackers taking the field. Here are the top SEC standouts from Day 1.
Stewart never racked up a ton of numbers production-wise while in College Station. However, his performance in Indianapolis proved exactly what scouts have been expecting to see since before last season started. The size and explosiveness he put on display were one of one.
- Measurements: 6-foot-5, 267 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.6 seconds
- Broad jump: 10 feet, 9 inches
- Relative Athletic Score (RAS): 9.99 out of 10.00
That ranked third among defensive ends. Third since 1987.
10’11” broad jump from @AggieFootball‘s Shemar Stewart 📈😮 (via @LanceZierlein) pic.twitter.com/PQ5OQ0imvP
— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2025
Jackson was probably the biggest mover of the day on day 1. Anyone that saw him at Arkansas wasn’t super surprised that Jackson popped. Regardless, Jackson put on a show during his on-field workouts and testing.
- Vertical jump: 40.5 inches
- Measurements: 6-foot-6, 264 pounds
It started with him jumping out of the gym with a 40.5 inch vertical jump. He is just the third player in combine history to weigh in at over 260 pounds and register over 40 inches in the vertical jump. The other two were both No. 1 overall picks, Mario Williams and Myles Garrett.
Arkansas EDGE Landon Jackson levitated with a 40.5 inch vert ⬆️ (via @StaceyDales)
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/T8Ee6e7yQI— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2025
Pearce was once considered to be in the running for the top overall pick in this year’s draft. The production was always there in college, as he totaled 17.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons at Tennessee. However, his stock has slipped a little since the end of last season and throughout the pre-draft process.
- Measurements: 6-foot-5, approximately 250 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.47 seconds (a full tenth of a second faster than anyone else at his position)
.@JamesPearceJr10 simulcam vs. a few SB champs 🏃♂️💨
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/UHaOR1d8nn— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2025
South Carolina LB Demetrius Knight Jr.
Knight Jr. is another player profiled in our combine breakout players preview. It was reported last year that he was clocked at over 21.5 miles per hour in spring and summer workouts. That’s not supposed to happen for players who are 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds.
Is that good? pic.twitter.com/ES12ojF0c2
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) February 28, 2025
Demetrius Knight Jr’s cleats at the combine 🔥🔥
With the way he’s moving out there tonight, he’s certainly only helping his draft stock 💰
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) February 28, 2025
- Measurements: 6-foot-3, 235 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
Somehow Knight got even faster. He posted a sub 4.6 forty yard dash and was a massive hit because of his on-field performance and off-field interviews. A former transfer from Charlotte, a husband, and father of two, Knight is one of the most likable prospects in this year’s draft.
Georgia DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Dawkins has looked the part of a physical freak since he stepped foot on campus in Athens. At 6-foot-5 and nearly 300 pounds, he’s been one of the more physically imposing defensive lineman on Georgia’s team the last few seasons. Thursday was his coming out party. Dawkins not only ran a sub five second forty but he put up some simply historical numbers in all the other drills.
- Measurements: 6-foot-5, 276 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins NFL Combine
💨 4.86 40 Yd Dash (t-2nd in DTs today)
💨 1.69 10 Yd Split (t-1st in DTs today)
😮 10’04” Broad Jump (1st by a DT since 2003)
😮 36″ Vertical (2nd by a DT since 2003)Made some money today 💪 #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/7p0291Q2gX
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) February 27, 2025
As expected in our preview article here at LouisianaSports.net, Asante made himself some money on Thursday. A big sideline to sideline linebacker that is physical, fundamentally sound, and fast. Asante’s 4.48 forty time was one of the best of the day.
- Measurements: 6-foot, 223 lbs pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds





