The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is rolling, and on Thursday night, the defensive linemen and linebackers took center stage. Many players took full advantage of the national spotlight and put on a show., impressing viewers, analysts, and most importantly, teams.
One team that was surely locked in is the New Orleans Saints. The Saints need help in the defensive front— especially on the defensive line —and there’s a belief New Orleans will select a defensive lineman at pick No. 9. If that’s the direction the team goes, it’ll certainly have a lot of talented to guys to choose from.
Here are a couple of the top performers from each group that took the field on Thursday.
Defensive Tackles
Joshua Farmer
Joshua Farmer backed up an impressive Senior Bowl with a strong Combine showing. His 1.77 10-yard split was spectacular for being 305 pounds. During the positional drills Farmer continued to awe scouts with his fluidity. He was a smooth mover and swiftly moved through each drill with ease. He improved his stock, likely to be a second round pick.
Tonka Hemingway
Tonka Hemingway didn’t run the 40, however, that didn’t stop him from putting on a show. The former Gamecock wasn’t widely known heading into the Combine, making his performance surprising to many. He’s not the biggest player, only standing at 6'2, 284 pounds, but makes up for it with his agility. Hemingway effortlessly ran through the drills, showcasing his footwork and athleticism. He’s likely still a day three pick but could be a gem for whoever takes the chance on him.
Deone Walker
It’s impossible to miss Walker. He measured in at 6’7, 331 pounds. At that size, having power is expected, but agility is rare. Walker is a rare mix of both. He displayed his agility while he was sprinting through drills, even throwing in some spin moves. The power was evident as he punished the bags with a violent club. He suffered an injury riddled 2024 season which worried many scouts. However, he proved that he’s still got all the tools needed for a successful defensive tackle.
Defensive Ends
James Pearce Jr.
James Pearce Jr. arguably had the most impressive day at the Combine among all prospects. He was easily noticeable, being the only prospect without a compression shirt, forgetting his at the hotel. He surpassed all expectations, clocking in a 4.47 40-yard dash. His film already shows an explosive player but this confirmed it.
It was impossible to miss Pearce during drills. His footwork was magnificent. He quickly moved through each drill with amazing fundamentals. His burst was on full display, exploding out of his cuts. He may have been inconsistent in 2024 but the Combine proved he’s still among the top edge rushers in the class. Pearce undoubtedly improved his draft stock, likely moving into the top 20.
Shemar Stewart
Shemar Stewart's performance was unprecedented among any other defensive lineman in Combine history. He started off the day with a 40” vertical jump and a 10’11 broad jump. This is impressive on its own, but becomes insane when his 6'5, 267-pound frame is factored in. This earned him a perfect 10 relative athletic score (RAS) which is first out of 1,802 defensive ends since 1987. His performance was sadly cut short due to a hamstring tweak while running his 40-yard dash. Regardless, this was a historic performance.
Linebackers
Kain Medrano
Kain Medrano was hidden in the shadow of his teammate Carson Schwesinger prior to the Combine. However, he made a name for himself with his performance. Medrano ran the fastest 40-yard dash time of the day with a 4.46. He showcased his quickness and lateral agility while running drills. He changed directions easily and was smooth while doing it. Medrano is likely a day three pick still but will contribute to a team on special teams no matter what.
Jihaad Campbell
Jihaad Campbell was a huge name going into day one, all eyes were on him. Even with this pressure, he exceeded all expectations. He started off well with a 4.52 40-yard dash. He then continued the momentum as he ran though drills with ease, as if he was a seasoned veteran. Campbell showed off his potential for both coverage and pass rushing. No matter what the coaches threw at him, he always answered. Campbell was already a first-round pick but he’s creeping up the order now.
Jack Kiser
Jack Kiser is one of the most experienced players at the Combine, starting 70 games in college. This was evident with his impressive footwork and fundamentals. He may not have been the most dynamic but made up for it. He was precise while changing direction, barely losing speed. Kiser was always in control, he never looked reckless. Scouts undoubtedly noticed this. He is still in all likelihood a day-three pick but that could change if he continues to impress in the evaluation process.