Hundreds of hopefuls descended on Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, but only a select few turned heads hard enough to earn a spot on the offensive all-combine team. These are the players who separated themselves from the pack — through blazing speed, flawless footwork, and moments that will live on highlight reels long after April’s draft.
Quarterback — Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Nussmeier edged out a competitive group of signal-callers by finishing strongest when it mattered most. He wasn’t flawless — a few throws sailed slightly — but he kept his composure, nailed deeper routes, and delivered red-zone fades with confidence. With presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza sitting out Indianapolis, Nussmeier made the clearest case among participating quarterbacks for an early Day 2 selection.
Honorable mentions— Ty Simpson, Alabama; Carson Beck, Miami; Taylen Green, Arkansas.
Running Backs — Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price & Mike Washington Jr.
Three backs made the cut — and all three made noise for different reasons.
- Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame posted a 4.36 40-yard dash, second-best among all running backs, and backed it up with explosive on-field work showcasing elite body control and three-down versatility. A Round 1 lock.
- Jadarian Price, Notre Dame came to Indianapolis with one mission — validate the tape — and delivered. A 4.49 40 at 203 pounds, combined with polished route-running and reliable hands, confirmed he’s the other half of one of college football’s most dangerous backfields.
- Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas ran the fastest 40 among all running backs at 4.33 seconds — a performance so emotional it moved him to tears on the field. He also posted a 10-foot-8 broad jump and a 39-inch vertical, earning the top NGS athleticism score (92) among all backs in Indianapolis.
Honorable mentions— Jam Miller, Alabama; Roman Hemby, Indiana; Kaytron Allen, Penn State.
Wide Receivers — Zachariah Branch, Ja’Kobi Lane & Zavion Thomas
The top names in this WR class largely skipped the on-field portion, but three prospects more than filled the void.
- Zachariah Branch, Georgia ran a 4.35 40 with a 38-inch vertical and 20 bench reps, earning the sixth-best NGS athleticism score among combine receivers. His natural hands and pro-ready movement skills made him the standout of the group.
- Ja’Kobi Lane, USC was the weekend’s biggest stock-riser at the position. The 6-foot-4 receiver posted a 4.47 40 and a 40-inch vertical, then wowed the crowd with exceptional catch radius and highlight-reel grabs — including one falling to the ground that drew an audible reaction from the stands.
- Zavion Thomas, LSU blazed a 4.28 40 at 190 pounds, instantly planting himself among the weekend’s elite athletes. His route-running was consistent throughout, and outside of one drop, he delivered a clean, complete workout.
Honorable mentions— Makai Lemon, USC; Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech; Malachi Fields, Notre Dame.
Tight End — Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Sadiq ran a 4.39-second 40 — the fastest by a tight end since at least 2003 — and added a 43.5-inch vertical for good measure. He earned a top-three overall NGS athleticism score of 95 and carries a 28 percent Pro Bowl probability per Next Gen Stats. Consistency with his hands remains a question, but his testing numbers alone rewrote the record books in Indianapolis.
Offensive Linemen — Ioane, Cruz, Fano, Iheanachor & Jones
The trenches produced some of the weekend’s most impressive performances.
- Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State (Guard) was the first in line for every drill and set the standard — fluid hips, violent punch, light feet. Comparisons to 14-year Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler are already circulating.
- Cruz (Guard) ran a 4.94 40 at 313 pounds and defied logic with his lateral quickness through pulling drills.
- Spencer Fano, Utah dazzled in pulling drills with explosive acceleration, though he projects best as an interior lineman despite tackle measurements.
- Max Iheanachor, Arizona State (Tackle) displayed the fastest hip movement seen from an offensive lineman at the combine — a rare, absurd trait that paired with his 6-foot-6, 321-pound frame and heavy hands to produce a jaw-dropping stunt-pickup performance.
- Logan Jones, Iowa (Center) ran a 4.9 40 at 299 pounds and delivered a technically polished workout that screamed Iowa offensive line factory — firm base, excellent balance, light feet.
John Michael Gyllenborg, Arkansas (Tight End) earned honorable mention after recovering from a leg injury and producing the most well-rounded tight end showing of the night — strong hands, clean routes, and a 10-foot-8 broad jump to silence any durability doubts.
