2026 All-NFL Scouting Combine Team: Notre Dame RB Jeremiah Love Wows

The NFL Scouting Combine is the premier showcase event for top prospects hoping to solidify their place on the league’s draft boards. Although scouts proclaim to place more importance on film evaluation, a stellar performance at the Combine can force evaluators to move an intriguing prospect up the rankings. After taking the time to review the numbers and video from the 2026 Combine, here are the players who opened their eyes and earned a coveted spot on my All-Combine team ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft: Offense Quarterback: Taylen Green, Arkansas The dual-threat playmaker could have secured a Day 3 spot with his spectacular display of athleticism and explosion. Standing at 6-foot-6, 227 pounds, Green set the turf on fire with a time of 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash, while completing a vertical jump of 43.5 inches and a broad jump of 11 feet, 2 inches. With a resume including 9,662 passing yards and 94 total touchdowns, Arkansas’ star player will attract interest as a developmental/change-of-pace quarterback, with a creative coaching staff and front office eyeing a potential “slash” (quarterback/wide receiver) role or a full-time position change down the road. Running Back: Jeremiah Love, Notre Dame The top player in the 2026 draft solidified his spot as the No. 1 prospect on the board with his impressive performance in Indianapolis. The Notre Dame star ran a blistering 4.37-second 40-yard dash in front of glaring evaluators with a flawless stance workout that showcased his rare combination of speed, quickness, balance and body control. Given his production as a dynamic runner with a streak of highlight-loaded big plays, explosive runs and touchdowns, Love is a top-five prospect regardless of his position value. Wide Receiver: Zachariah Branch, Georgia The shifty receiver may have changed the narrative in the scouting community after his jaw-dropping performance. Although he’s typecast as a slot receiver/punt returner with a future as a gadget player, Branch’s speed (4.35 seconds 40-yard dash), explosiveness and route-running ability could entice creative players to carve out a role for the former Bulldogs as a WR2/WR3 in an offense that highlights “catch-and-run” concepts on the call sheet. As a speedster with electric running skills and breakaway speed, Branch could be a game-changer as a pro. Wide Receiver: Ted Hurst, Georgia State The long, lanky wide receiver could have landed a Day 2 spot as a potential “X” receiver on most draft boards. Hurst followed a strong performance at the Senior Bowl with a strong performance at the Combine, where he ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and posted impressive measurements in the vertical jump (36.5 inches) and broad jump (11 feet, 3 inches). With Hurst showing off acrobatic body control and ball skills during route running drills, the Georgia State standout is a top-100 prospect in the 2026 draft. Wide Receiver: Omar Cooper, Indiana The Indiana product has been considered a borderline opening day prospect by evaluators who rave about his route running accuracy and strong hands. Cooper solidified his status with a strong performance in Indianapolis, where he posted a 40-yard dash of 4.42 seconds and a vertical jump of 37 inches. He followed the impressive athletic testing with a spectacular display of route running and pass catching, demonstrating his potential as a WR2. Considering how much teams like plug-and-play playmakers who can impact their teams from day one, Cooper continues to rise up the rankings as a prospect. Tight End: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon It’s no surprise to see Sadiq dominate athletic drills, given his reputation as an athletic enthusiast with rare physical tools. Standing at 6-foot-3, 241 pounds with 4.40 speed (40-yard dash) and NBA-caliber “bounce” (43.5-inch vertical jump; 11-foot-1-inch broad jump), the Oregon standout is a matchup nightmare on the perimeter. As play designers consider various ways to put opposing defenses in tough situations, Sadiq’s combination of athleticism and skill will make him a hot commodity on draft night. Offensive Tackle: Monroe Freeling, Georgia Experience counts, but it’s hard to get around a 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle with elite athletic traits and impressive shadowboxing skills. Freeling was already on the radar as a top offensive tackle prospect despite his limited experience as a one-year starter and an unrefined game, but his agility, movement skills and high-end athleticism (4.93 40-yard dash; 33.5-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-7 broad jump) make him a desirable prospect in a pass-happy league. Given the lack of true left tackles in the 2026 class, the Georgia star could parlay his dazzling Combine workout into a top-20 selection. Offensive guard: Chase Bisonitis, Texas A&M Despite concerns about his short arms (31 3/4 inches), the former Aggie received rave reviews for his work in Indianapolis. The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder dazzled in drills, displaying exceptional balance, body control and agility while working in space. Bisontis’ textbook technique matched the near-perfect form he consistently displays on tape. With solid athleticism grades (5.03 in the 40-yard dash; 32-inch vertical jump) and a string of highlights filled with “plus” plays, Bisontis is squarely in the mix as the OG2 of the class. Center: Logan Jones, Iowa The next Iowa product to break out as a professional showed the football world he’s an A+ athlete with his jaw-dropping performance in Indianapolis. Jones not only clocked a 4.94-second time in the 40-yard dash with a 1.74-second 10-yard dash, but his moves match the short-area dominance he displays on tape. With his quick hands and nimble feet shining in pass protection and zone blocking, the 6-foot-3, 299-pounder rises to the top of the list of centers in the 2026 class. Offensive guard: Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech The “Bully Ball” specialist might have surprised some evaluators with his sensational athletic performance at the Combine. Rutlege ran a 5.05-second 40-yard dash to complement his 32.5-inch vertical jump and impressive work in on-field drills. The Georgia Tech product is more than a mauler/brawler, and his strong coaching suggests he could be a draft-friendly prospect capable of thriving in a zone- or gap-based scheme. Offensive Tackle: Spencer Fano, Utah The sturdy right tackle earned high marks for his performance in Indianapolis, including some work at center to showcase his versatility. Fano was 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds, but impressed most with his 4.91-second 40-yard dash and above-average jumps (32-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-3 broad jump), which confirmed his explosiveness. With his tape matching his athleticism, Fano is an easy evaluation for teams looking for a high-end offensive lineman. EDGE OF DEFENSE: David Bailey, Texas Tech Elite passers often possess a combination of speed and skill that overwhelms blockers on the edge. Bailey’s Combine performance simply confirmed his top-notch characteristics as a speed runner with exceptional first step quickness and dynamic “bend and burst” abilities. With a 4.50-second 40-yard dash time and elite jump metrics (35-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-9 broad jump) to match the explosive pass-rushing feats that show up on tape, it’s easy to sell the Texas Tech standout as a top-five talent in this draft. Defensive Tackle: Caleb Banks, Florida Some have touted the Florida product as a “boom or bust” candidate due to his injuries and inconsistent flashes as a player, but it’s hard to find a 6-foot-6, 327-pound defensive tackle with smooth moves and heavy hands. Although he ended his workout prematurely due to a minor issue with his cleats, Banks showed out with a 40-yard dash time of 5.04 seconds and stunning jumps (32-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-6 broad jump) that showcased his athleticism and explosiveness. After impressing at the Senior Bowl and the Combine, the big interior defender is having scouts go through his 2024 tape to see if his potential as an athletic monster warrants first-round consideration. Defensive Tackle: Zane Durant, Penn State As an undersized interior defender who wins with quickness and quickness, Durant needed a dominant performance at the Combine to convince evaluators he was worth Day 2 consideration. With a 4.75-second 40-yard dash to complement his 33.5-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-4 broad jump, Durant not only confirmed his elite athleticism, but he followed it up with a dazzling display of drills. After watching his game tape and studying his practice numbers, it’s hard to imagine a team with an offensive-style defense, bypassing an ultra-athletic defender who plays with urgency and violence. EDGE: Malachi Lawrence, UCF As a “junk dog” with a non-stop motor and relentless approach, Lawrence had put together a resume worthy of Day 2 consideration after a strong effort at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Although he hasn’t been able to move off the board in the first three rounds of the 2026 draft, Lawrence’s explosive traits (4.52 seconds 40-yard dash; 40 inches vertical and 10 feet, 10 inches wide) push him to the top of the developmental group that rounds out the top 100 selections on most boards. Given his consistency as a passer (20 career sacks and three forced fumbles) and his athleticism as a potential rotation/special teams player, Lawrence is back on the radar as a “red star” candidate (prospect who will make an impact regardless of role) on the selection committee. Off-ball linebacker: Arvell Reese, Ohio State The incredibly athletic defender put on a show at the Combine that had defensive coordinators salivating over his potential. Reese has teased evaluators with his talent as an off-ball linebacker with pass-rushing potential, but his sensational performance in drills is sending defensive coordinators’ imaginations out of control. As a potential hybrid with standout playmaking potential, the Ohio State star’s elite athletic metrics (4.46 seconds 40-yard dash with 1.53 seconds 10-yard dash) have solidified his place among the top five picks. Off-ball linebacker: Sonny Styles, Ohio State The tall off-ball linebacker made his case for a top-five pick with a stunning performance that had evaluators revisiting their grades from the 2024 and 2025 seasons. he linebacker-turned-safety is the ultimate “hit, run and cover” player with a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and a pair of explosive jumps (43.5-inch vertical jump and 11-foot-2 broad jump) that will make it difficult for quarterbacks to launch into his zone. With the Ohio State product showing effective passing skills on tape, Styles has teams considering breaking traditional norms by placing an off-ball linebacker at the top of the charts. “Star” linebacker: Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh After opening eyes at the Senior Bowl with his spectacular flashes during drills, Louis showed the football world that his athleticism is up to the mark with an impressive performance at the Combine. The Pitt product ran a 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds, while completing a broad jump of 39.5 inches and 10 feet, 9 inches. As coaches and scouts dive deeper into his game film and discover a versatile playmaker with natural skills as a hybrid (linebacker/safety), the 6-foot, 220-pounder could climb the rankings as a Day 2 prospect. Cornerback: Chris Johnson, San Diego State Scouts reviewing Johnson’s tape were struck by his potential as a talented technician suited to a long-term role as a CB1/CB2. However, questions about his recovery clouded the assessment after seeing some difficulties on deep routes. Those concerns were allayed after Johnson posted an impressive 4.40-second 40-yard dash with complementary jumps (38-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-6 broad jump) that confirmed his explosiveness as an athlete. Plus, Johnson’s impeccable technique makes him an easy sell as a top-40 pick come draft weekend. Safety: Dillon Thieneman, Oregon Oregon’s explosive ball hawk moved into the top 20 after an intense workout that showcased his speed and agility. Thieneman impressed his evaluators with a 40-yard dash of 4.35 seconds and a vertical jump of 41 inches. The measurements not only confirmed his elite explosiveness, but also matched the exceptional displays of range and ball skills that had pushed him to Day 1 status prior to the event. With several teams looking for a high-IQ safety with MLB center fielder range and ball skills, Thieneman is a lock to come off the board as a first-round pick. Safety: Bud Clark, TCU Dynamic playmakers are always coveted by scouts and coaches, especially in an era where turnover obsession is rampant throughout the league. Clark’s skills with the ball and takeaway prowess have received rave reviews, but scouts are more enamored with the TCU star after seeing him shine in an impressive practice at the Combine. The explosion and agility displayed on the turf makes it easy to imagine the 6-foot, 188-pounder thriving in a role that allows him to play to his strengths as a “see the ball, get the ball” defender. Cornerback: Colton Hood, Tennessee It might be difficult for the Tennessee player to climb to the top of the rankings, but Hood’s stellar workout at the Combine will have defensive coordinators and defensive backs coaches around the league clamoring for his services as a future CB1. The 6-foot, 193-pounder is an athletic monster (4.44-second 40-yard dash time; 40.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-5 broad jump) with a silky, fluid leaping game on the tape. Additionally, Hood is a high IQ defender with a knack for diagnosing routes and making plays with the ball, using a variety of techniques. As a “plug-and-play” starter with an impressive resume that makes him a late first-round prospect, Hood’s impressive performance in the NFL’s first showcase event could seal his spot as a day one pick. Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as co-host of the “Moving the Sticks” podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.