5 big standouts from Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

USA Today

28-02-2025

5 big standouts from Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine
The first day of on-field workouts at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine may have been the most important to the Carolina Panthers.
Thursday's events from Lucas Oil Stadium saw the upcoming draft's top defensive linemen and linebackers get to work. These positions sit amongst the very top of the offseason to-do list for the Panthers, who are actively seeking to reshape their defensive front.
Carolina's historically-bad defense not only allowed the most points ever in a season, but the unit also relinquished (by far) the most rushing yards per game in 2024 while accumulating the lowest pressure rate. So, yeah, you bet general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales were paying attention this afternoon.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the top performers from the first day of the combine . . .
C.J. West, DL, Indiana
An underrated defensive tackle, West needed a proper showing in Indianapolis to help boost his stock as a potential middle-round selection. He did precisely that.
The former Hoosiers standout measured in at 6-foot-1 and 316 pounds with 31.5-inch arms. He ran a 4.95-second 40-yard dash and an above-average 1.73-second 10-yard split.
West is a powerful interior player who can discard lineman in the trenches while flashing pass rush upside. His motor and effort will allow him to be an effective rotational rusher early in his career.
Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo
Alexander, one of the best small-school prospects of the class, has become a fan favorite. His athleticism on the All-22 film translated to testing and drills at the combine.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder measured in with 34-inch arms. He recorded a 4.95-second 40-yard dash with a 1.72-second 10-yard split—the fourth-best on Thursday amongst all defensive tackles.
He may have just solidified himself as a Day Two selection.
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Many knew that Stewart would test off the charts, and he did. But his combine performance was, somehow, much better than expected.
Stewart, 6-foot-5, 267 pounds, hit a 40-inch jump in the vertical and a 10-foot, 11-inch jump in the broad. Those ranked, respectively, as the second-best and best marks of the edge group.
He then lit up stopwatches with a 4.59-second 40-yard dash and a 1.58-second 10-yard split.
Those are absurd numbers that may have locked Stewart in as a top-15 selection. So despite his lack of production in college, someone will take a big chance on his very special athleticism.
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
While his 31-inch vertical jump may not seem impressive, it's the explosiveness that matters with Pearce—and he put that on full display with his runs.
At, 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, the two-time first-team All-SEC selection ran defensive line-highs with a 4.47-second 40-yard dash and a 1.56-second 10-yard split. Those times showcased the acceleration, fluidity and smoothness we saw in Tennessee.
Pearce is making a case to be a top-20 selection, and perhaps a dark-horse choice at No. 8 overall for the Panthers.
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
If there is a pure linebacker with a chance of jumping into the first round, it's Campbell. The former edge rusher-turned-off-ball linebacker was terrific on Thursday, running a 4.52-second 40-yard dash and a 1.53-second 10-yard split.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder showed his hip fluidity, range, quickness and reactionary skills in drills.
Carolina needs rangy, explosive and physical players in the front seven—and if they choose to trade up in the second round, Campbell could be there waiting for them.