site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: photos | section: | slug: the-biggest-freaks-that-blew-up-the-nfl-combine | sport: football | route: image_gallery_single | 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/photos
Skip to Main Content
EyePartInnerEyePartCorner
league logo
Close Menu All Sports Menu
Featured
  •  logo
    NFL
  •  logo
    NCAA FB
  •  logo
    NBA
  •  logo
    NCAA BB
  •  logo
    NCAA WBB
  •  logo
    UFC
  • SportsSoccer
    Soccer
  •  logo
    Golf
  •  logo
    MLB
Explore More
  •  logo
    NHL
  •  logo
    Champions League
  • SportsWwe
    WWE
  •  logo
    WNBA
  •  logo
    Boxing
  •  logo
    NASCAR
  •  logo
    Motor Sports
  •  logo
    NWSL
  •  logo
    UFL
  •  logo
    Horse RacingNortheast
  •  logo
    Tennis
  •  logo
    BIG3
  •  logo
    High School
  •  logo
    Olympics
  •  logo
    Podcasts
  •  logo
    ShopNortheast
  •  logo
    Promotions
  •  logo
    PBRNortheast
  •  logo
    PVFNortheast
  •  logo
    3ICENortheast
  •  logo
    StubhubNortheast
  • Play Golf
  • NFL
    league logo
    Explore NFL
    • NFL News
    • Scores
    • Schedule
    • Standings
    • Playoff Picture
    • Expert Picks
    • Odds
    • Props
    • Teams
    • Stats
    • NFL Draft
    • Prospect Rankings
    • Mock Drafts
    • Power Rankings
    • Video
    • Players
    • Injuries
    • Transactions
    • Super Bowl
    • NFL Betting
    • Fantasy
    • Paramount +
    • NFL Shop
    • Stubhub
    NFL Teams
    See AllArrowForward
    • AFC East
      • team logo
        Bills
      • team logo
        Dolphins
      • team logo
        Jets
      • team logo
        Patriots
       
    • AFC North
      • team logo
        Bengals
      • team logo
        Browns
      • team logo
        Ravens
      • team logo
        Steelers
    • AFC South
      • team logo
        Colts
      • team logo
        Jaguars
      • team logo
        Texans
      • team logo
        Titans
    • AFC West
      • team logo
        Broncos
      • team logo
        Chargers
      • team logo
        Chiefs
      • team logo
        Raiders
    • NFC East
      • team logo
        Commanders
      • team logo
        Cowboys
      • team logo
        Eagles
      • team logo
        Giants
    • NFC North
      • team logo
        Bears
      • team logo
        Lions
      • team logo
        Packers
      • team logo
        Vikings
    • NFC South
      • team logo
        Buccaneers
      • team logo
        Falcons
      • team logo
        Panthers
      • team logo
        Saints
    • NFC West
      • team logo
        49ers
      • team logo
        Cardinals
      • team logo
        Rams
      • team logo
        Seahawks
  • NCAA FB
    league logo
    Explore College Football
    • College Football News
    • Scores
    • Schedule
    • Rankings
    • Standings
    • Expert Picks
    • Odds
    • Bowl Projections
    • Playoff Bracket
    • Teams
    • Stats
    • FCS Playoffs
    • Watch CFB Live
    • Signing Day
    • Transfer PortalNortheast
    • 2026 Top RecruitsNortheast
    • 2025 Top ClassesNortheast
    • College Football Betting
    • Players
    • College ShopNortheast
    • StubHub
    Shows & Podcasts
    See AllArrowForward
    • Cover 3 College Football Podcast
    • With the First Pick
    • The Early Edge: A Daily SportsLine Betting Podcast
  • NBA
    league logo
    Explore NBA
    • NBA News
    • Scores
    • Schedule
    • Standings
    • Stats
    • Teams
    • Expert Picks
    • Odds
    • NBA Cup
    • Prospect Rankings
    • Video
    • Injuries
    • Transactions
    • Players
    • Power Rankings
    • NBA Betting
    • NBA ShopNortheast
    • StubhubNortheast
    NBA Teams
    See AllArrowForward
    • Atlantic
      • team logo
        76ers
      • team logo
        Celtics
      • team logo
        Knicks
      • team logo
        Nets
      • team logo
        Raptors
       
    • Central
      • team logo
        Bucks
      • team logo
        Bulls
      • team logo
        Cavaliers
      • team logo
        Pacers
      • team logo
        Pistons
    • Southeast
      • team logo
        Hawks
      • team logo
        Heat
      • team logo
        Hornets
      • team logo
        Magic
      • team logo
        Wizards
    • Northwest
      • team logo
        Jazz
      • team logo
        Nuggets
      • team logo
        Thunder
      • team logo
        Timberwolves
      • team logo
        Trail Blazers
    • Pacific
      • team logo
        Clippers
      • team logo
        Kings
      • team logo
        Lakers
      • team logo
        Suns
      • team logo
        Warriors
    • Southwest
      • team logo
        Grizzlies
      • team logo
        Mavericks
      • team logo
        Pelicans
      • team logo
        Rockets
      • team logo
        Spurs
  • NCAA BB
    league logo
    Explore NCAA BB
    • College Basketball News
    • Scores
    • Schedule
    • Standings
    • Rankings
    • Expert Picks
    • Odds
    • Stats
    • Teams
    • Players
    • NCAA Tournament
    • College Basketball Betting
    • Women's BB
    • NBA Draft
    • Prospect Rankings
    • 2026 Top Recruits
    • 2026 Top Classes
    • CBS Sports Classic
    • College Shop
    • StubHub
    Shows & Podcasts
    See AllArrowForward
    • Eye On College Basketball
    • College Basketball Recruiting Weekly
  • NCAA WBB
    league logo
    Explore NCAA WBB
    • Women's College Basketball News
    • Scores
    • Schedule
    • Standings
    • Rankings
    • Teams
    • Video
    • College ShopNortheast
    • StubhubNortheast
  • UFC
    league logo
    Explore UFC
    • UFC News
    • UFC 324
    • UFC 323
    • Schedule
    • Rankings
    • UFC Betting
    • StubhubNortheast
  • Soccer
    league logo
    Explore Soccer
    • Soccer News
    • Champions League
    • Serie A
    • Europa
    • Premier League
    • NWSL
    • MLS
    • Watch NWSL
    • Watch EFL
    • La Liga
    • World Cup
    • Women's World Cup
    • CBS Sports Golazo Network
    • Video
    • Soccer Betting
    • ShopNortheast
    Live Channels
    • Golazo Network
      Live
    • UEFA Channel
      Live
    Shows & Podcasts
    See AllArrowForward
    • Morning Footy
    • Kickin' It
    • Attacking Third: A CBS Sports Soccer Podcast
  • Golf
    league logo
    Explore Golf
    • Golf News
    • Leaderboard
    • Schedule
    • Stats
    • Rankings
    • Watch Live
    • Golf Betting
    • Masters
    • Play GolfNortheast
    • StubHubNortheast
    • Golf ShopNortheast
    Shows & Podcasts
    See AllArrowForward
    • The Early Edge: A Daily SportsLine Betting Podcast
  • MLB
    league logo
    Explore MLB
    • MLB News
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Scores
    • Schedule
    • Standings
    • Odds
    • Teams
    • Stats
    • Expert Picks
    • Video
    • Power Rankings
    • Probable Pitchers
    • Two-Start Pitchers
    • Players
    • Transactions
    • MLB Betting
    • Fantasy
    • Stubhub
    • Injuries
    • MLB Shop
    MLB Teams
    See AllArrowForward
    • AL Central
      • team logo
        Guardians
      • team logo
        Royals
      • team logo
        Tigers
      • team logo
        Twins
      • team logo
        White Sox
       
    • AL East
      • team logo
        Blue Jays
      • team logo
        Orioles
      • team logo
        Rays
      • team logo
        Red Sox
      • team logo
        Yankees
    • AL West
      • team logo
        Angels
      • team logo
        Astros
      • team logo
        Athletics
      • team logo
        Mariners
      • team logo
        Rangers
    • NL Central
      • team logo
        Brewers
      • team logo
        Cardinals
      • team logo
        Cubs
      • team logo
        Pirates
      • team logo
        Reds
    • NL East
      • team logo
        Braves
      • team logo
        Marlins
      • team logo
        Mets
      • team logo
        Nationals
      • team logo
        Phillies
    • NL West
      • team logo
        Diamondbacks
      • team logo
        Dodgers
      • team logo
        Giants
      • team logo
        Padres
      • team logo
        Rockies
  • NHL
    league logo
    Explore NHL
    • NHL News
    • Scores
    • Schedule
    • Standings
    • Teams
    • Stats
    • Expert Picks
    • Odds
    • Injuries
    • Video
    • Transactions
    • Players
    • NHL Betting
    • Power Rankings
    • Fantasy
    • NHL ShopNortheast
    • Stubhub
    NHL Teams
    See AllArrowForward
    • Atlantic
      • team logo
        Bruins
      • team logo
        Canadiens
      • team logo
        Lightning
      • team logo
        Maple Leafs
      • team logo
        Panthers
      • team logo
        Red Wings
      • team logo
        Sabres
      • team logo
        Senators
    • Metropolitan
      • team logo
        Blue Jackets
      • team logo
        Capitals
      • team logo
        Devils
      • team logo
        Flyers
      • team logo
        Hurricanes
      • team logo
        Islanders
      • team logo
        Penguins
      • team logo
        Rangers
    • Central
      • team logo
        Avalanche
      • team logo
        Blackhawks
      • team logo
        Blues
      • team logo
        Jets
      • team logo
        Mammoth
      • team logo
        Predators
      • team logo
        Stars
      • team logo
        Wild
    • Pacific
      • team logo
        Canucks
      • team logo
        Ducks
      • team logo
        Flames
      • team logo
        Golden Knights
      • team logo
        Kings
      • team logo
        Kraken
      • team logo
        Oilers
      • team logo
        Sharks
  • Champions League
  • WWE
  • WNBA
  • Boxing
  • NASCAR
  • Motor Sports
  • NWSL
  • UFL
  • Horse Racing
    Northeast
  • Tennis
  • BIG3
  • High School
  • Olympics
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
    Northeast
  • Promotions
  • PBR
    Northeast
  • PVF
    Northeast
  • 3ICE
    Northeast
  • Stubhub
    Northeast
  • Play Golf
CBS Eye CBS Logo
  • Watch
    PlayMonitorUnfilled Watch Leagues
    •  logo
      NFL
    • SportsNcaafb
      NCAA Football
    •  logo
      NCAA Basketball
    •  logo
      Champions League
    •  logo
      NWSL
    •  logo
      Serie A
    •  logo
      English Football League
    •  logo
      Europa League
    •  logo
      Women’s Champions League
    •  logo
      Coppa Italia
    •  logo
      Carabao Cup
    •  logo
      PGA TOUR
    •  logo
      Conference League
    •  logo
      NCAA Women’s Basketball
    •  logo
      SPFL
    •  logo
      Liga MX
    •  logo
      MLB
    •  logo
      NBA
    •  logo
      NHL
    • SportsSoccer
      More Soccer
    • PlayMonitorUnfilled
      CBS Sports Schedule
    Live Channels
    CBS Sports HQ - 24/7 Sports News
    Live
    CBS Sports HQ - 24/7 Sports News
    • CBS Sports Golazo Network
      Live
    • CBS Sports Network
      Live
    • UEFA Channel
      Live
    • NFL Channel
      Live
  • Fantasy
    LogoFantasyF Explore Fantasy
    • Fantasy News
    • Play Now
    • My Teams
    • Football
    • Baseball
    • Bracket Games
    • Basketball
    • Hockey
    • Football Pick'Em
    • College Pick'Em
  • Betting
    DollarSignCircleUnfilled Explore Betting
    • Betting News
    • Betting Apps
    • Sportsbook Promos
    • DraftKings Promo Code
    • Bet365 Promo Code
    • BetMGM Promo Code
    • FanDuel Promo Code
    • Fanatics SportsBook Promo
    • DFS Apps
    • Underdog Promo Code
    • Sleeper Promo Code
    • Missouri Sports Betting
    • New York Sports Betting
    • Inside the Lines
    • NFL Odds
    • CFB Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • SportsLineNortheast
    • CasinosNortheast
    • Parlay CalculatorNortheast
    Shows & Podcasts
    See AllArrowForward
Close Menu User Menu
Settings
Log Out
Log In
Sign Up
Fantasy & Games
See AllArrowForward
  • #
    #
    #
LogoFantasyF
    Play Fantasy Games
    Build a franchise, control your destiny, play like the pros Play Now
Video Settings
Select TV Provider
Close
Sign in with your TV provider

If not listed, please contact your TV provider.

[object Object] Logo
  • LogoParamountPlus
    More live games and exclusives
    Log Out
    Connect
  • TV Provider
    More live games & exclusives
    Log Out
    Connect
league logo

NFL

league logo
  • NFL News
  • Scores
  • Schedule
  • Standings
  • Playoff Picture
  • Expert Picks
  • Odds
  • Props
  • Teams
  • Stats
  • NFL Draft
  • Prospect Rankings
  • Mock Drafts
  • Power Rankings
  • Video
  • Players
  • Injuries
  • Transactions
  • Super Bowl
  • NFL Betting
  • Fantasy
  • Paramount +
  • NFL Shop
  • Stubhub
MoreHorizMenu
  • NFL News
  • Scores
  • Schedule
  • Standings
  • Playoff Picture
  • Expert Picks
  • Odds
  • Props
  • Teams
  • Stats
  • NFL Draft
  • Prospect Rankings
  • Mock Drafts
  • Power Rankings
  • Video
  • Players
  • Injuries
  • Transactions
  • Super Bowl
  • NFL Betting
  • Fantasy
  • Paramount +
  • NFL Shop
  • Stubhub
Close Menu
  • NFL News
  • Scores
  • Schedule
  • Standings
  • Playoff Picture
  • Expert Picks
  • Odds
  • Props
  • Teams
  • Stats
  • NFL Draft
  • Prospect Rankings
  • Mock Drafts
  • Power Rankings
  • Video
  • Players
  • Injuries
  • Transactions
  • Super Bowl
  • NFL Betting
  • Fantasy
  • Paramount +
  • NFL Shop
  • Stubhub

The 15 Biggest Freaks to Ever Crush the NFL Combine

  • By Lance Cartelli
  • moments from now
  • bo.jpg
  • calvin.jpg
  • vd.jpg
  • cj0k.jpg
  • clowney.jpg
  • poe.jpg
  • deion.jpg
  • julio.jpg
  • mandarich.jpg
  • mattjones.jpg
  • paea.jpg
  • gholston.jpg
  • rg3.jpg
  • tavonaustin.jpg
  • watt.jpg
  • Advertisement 03 Seconds
  • More Slideshows
    02-343578-uclm-25-ratio-cbssports-ottpromo-3072x961-today

    CBSSN Home Gallery

    01-297906-uclm-cbssports-golazo-newsletter-1400x788

    CBSSN CBSS Schedule

    NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins

    Will Brinson's 2019 NFL Week 17 Picks Against the Spread

    NFL: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans

    Will Brinson's 2019 NFL Week 16 Picks Against the Spread

    Back
    Replay
1 / 15
  • 1. Bo Jackson

    Bo Jackson is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes sports has ever seen. The 1986 NFL Scouting Combine proved that when he ran a hand-timed 4.12 40-yard dash, which was the fastest in the event's history.

    Credit: Mike Powell, Getty Images
  • 2. Calvin Johnson

    Measuring in at a ridiculous 239 pounds at the 2007 combine, Calvin Johnson is nicknamed "Megatron" for a reason. The Lions receiver wowed scouts with an insane 11 feet, 7 inch broad jump.

    Credit: Leon Halip, Getty Images
  • 3. Vernon Davis

    Tight ends shouldn't be able to move like Vernon Davis does. At the 2006 combine, Davis ran the 40 in 4.38 seconds, helping boost him into the top 10 in the draft.

  • 4. Chris Johnson

    Not many prospects helped their draft stock at the combine more than Chris Johnson. CJ2K blurred to a 4.24 seconds in the 40 in 2008.

    Credit: Elsa, Getty Images
  • 5. Jadeveon Clowney

    Throughout his junior season, Clowney was the consensus No. 1 overall pick, and the 2014 combine was his time to cement that status. The South Carolina product ran the best 40 time of all defensive linemen with a 4.53 seconds.

    Credit: Joe Robbins, Getty Images
  • 6. Dontari Poe

    Speaking of ridiculous 40 times, Dontari Poe might've had the most mind blowing sprint of any player. Despite weighing almost 350 pounds, Poe ran the 40 in under five seconds and bench pressed 225 pounds 44 times (!) in '12. Poe was so impressive Barack Obama even referenced him in an interview.

    Credit: Kyle Rivas, Getty Images
  • 7. Deion Sanders

    No combine list is complete without Prime Time. Deion Sanders left the 1989 scouting combine with the second-fastest 40 time of 4.2 seconds, just behind Bo Jackson. Sanders was later drafted fifth overall by the Atlanta Falcons.

    Credit: JOHN RUTHROFF/AFP/Getty Images
  • 8. Julio Jones

    Julio Jones had one of the best workouts of any wide receiver during the 2011 combine. He ran the third fastest 40 and posted the best long jump of any wide out. All with a broken bone in his foot. What a freak!

    Credit: Andy Lyons, Getty Images
  • 9. Tony Mandarich

    Tony Mandarich highlights a cautionary tale for scouts at the combine. Mandarich benched 225 pounds 39 times, while running a 4.65 40-yard dash at over 300 pounds in '89. His measurables, however, did not translate to the pros.

    Credit: Tom Hauck, Getty Images
  • 10. Matt Jones

    Described as a "freak" at the 2005 combine, Matt Jones was a converted wide receiver after playing QB at Arkansas. The 6-6 wideout ran the 40 in 4.37 seconds, but he was never able to make an impact in the NFL.

    Credit: Sam Greenwood, Getty Images
  • 11. Stephen Paea

    At the 2011 combine, Stephen Paea busted out 49 bench-press reps, the highest total since 1999.

    Credit: Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
  • 12. Vernon Gholston

    The former Ohio State pass rusher dominated the 2008 combine with the most bench reps of any player. Gholston was drafted by the Jets and is widely regarded as a huge bust.

    Credit: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
  • 13. Robert Griffin III

    Quarterbacks usually don't post times like RG3 did at the combine. Griffin recorded the fastest 40 since Michael Vick in 2001 with a 4.41.

  • 14. Tavon Austin

    At the 2013 combine, Austin's small stature didn't stop him from being a freak. The former receiver from West Virginia ran a 4.3 40-yard dash and had a 32-inch vertical jump.

    Credit: Christian Petersen, Getty Images
  • 15. J.J. Watt

    Watt, a former walk-on at the University of Wisconsin, was a top performer in almost every category at the combine in 2011. Watt seemed to turn into a pretty good player, huh?

    Credit: Brian Bahr, Getty Images
More Slideshows
  • NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins
    Will Brinson's 2019 NFL Week 17 Picks Against the Spread
  • NFL: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
    Will Brinson's 2019 NFL Week 16 Picks Against the Spread
  • minkah8.jpg
    Will Brinson's 2019 NFL Week 15 Picks Against the Spread
Around the Web Promoted by Taboola
CBS Sports logo
CBS Sports Golazo Network logo
CBS Sports HQ logo
247Sports logo
Sportsline.com logo
Paramount+ logo
Commissioner logo
MVP Logo
Scout Fantasy logo
GolfWeb Logo
More
Pick'em Games
Fantasy Sports
Free Sports TV
Betting Analysis
March Madness
Mobile Apps
Company
About Us
Careers
About Paramount
Paramount+
CBS TV
Regulation
Terms Of Use
Privacy Policy
Children's Privacy Policy
Your Privacy Choices
Closed Captioning
California Notice
Contact Us
Help
Customer Care
Social Media
YouTube
TikTok
Instagram
Facebook
X
Threads
Flipboard
Account
Manage My Account
Newsletters
My Teams
Forgot Password

© 2004-2025 CBS Interactive. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc.

The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only and CBS Sports makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event. Odds subject to change. There is no gambling offered on this site. This site contains commercial content and CBS Sports may be compensated for the links provided on this site.

Images by Getty Images and Imagn