2026 NFL Combine: Alabama Prospect's Foot Speed Tested for Draft Stock

An Alabama prospect's foot speed is being closely watched at the 2026 NFL Combine. Some scouts see him as a Round 3 pick, while others think he could go in the top 5 if he performs well.
By Newsroom | Sports, NFL |

The NFL Combine is a critical event where college football players showcase their skills and physical abilities to professional scouts. This event, often held in late February or early March, provides a standardized testing ground to compare athletes across various positions. For many prospects, their performance at the combine can significantly influence their draft standing, potentially elevating them from late-round possibilities to early selections, or conversely, raising questions about their readiness for the professional level.

Understanding the Combine Structure

The NFL Scouting Combine involves a series of tests and drills designed to measure a prospect's physical attributes and football-specific skills. These activities are typically spread across several days, with different position groups participating on specific dates.

What to expect at NFL combine workouts: Kiper, Miller, Reid and Yates answer 11 questions - 1

  • Medical and Interviews: The combine begins with extensive medical examinations, including orthopedic assessments and pre-ordered studies. Prospects also engage in numerous interviews with NFL teams, providing an opportunity for coaches and general managers to gauge their personalities, football intelligence, and fit within a team's system. Media interviews are also a standard part of this initial phase.

  • Measurements and Testing: Athletes undergo precise measurements of height, weight, wingspan, and hand size. Following this, they participate in athletic testing.

  • Speed and Agility: The 40-yard dash is a hallmark event, measuring raw speed. The short shuttle run and three-cone drill assess agility and change-of-direction ability.

  • Strength: The bench press, involving repetitions of 225 pounds, tests upper-body strength.

  • Explosiveness: The vertical jump and broad jump measure lower-body explosiveness.

  • Position-Specific Drills: Prospects then engage in drills tailored to their specific positions.

  • Offensive Linemen: Drills might include a figure-eight pattern around cones to showcase footwork and hip fluidity.

  • Defensive Linemen and Linebackers: These groups often perform drills that emphasize their ability to bend around obstacles, agility in confined spaces, and pass-rushing technique, such as working around tackling dummies to simulate turning the corner.

  • Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, and Tight Ends: These athletes focus on catching passes, running routes, and demonstrating their ball skills.

  • Defensive Backs: Drills often involve covering receivers, backpedaling, and breaking on the ball.

Key Figures and Their Roles

Several ESPN analysts play a significant role in evaluating combine performances and their impact on the NFL Draft:

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  • Mel Kiper Jr.: Known for his early draft projections, Kiper provides insights into how combine results might shift his pre-combine mock drafts.

  • Matt Miller: A senior draft analyst, Miller offers in-depth scouting and analysis of top prospects. He often discusses which players have the most to gain or lose at the combine.

  • Jordan Reid: Another draft analyst, Reid contributes his perspectives on player evaluations and draft order predictions.

  • Field Yates: As an NFL Insider, Yates provides a broader outlook, often connecting combine performances to team needs and draft strategies.

These experts offer varying perspectives on prospects, with some seeing certain players as potential third-round talents while others view them as late-round gambles, highlighting the subjective nature of draft evaluations even with objective testing data.

What to expect at NFL combine workouts: Kiper, Miller, Reid and Yates answer 11 questions - 2

Prospects Under the Spotlight

Certain prospects generate particular interest due to the variance in how scouts perceive their potential.

  • Alabama Prospect: One player, noted as a potential Round 3 prospect by some scouts and a "Day 3 dart throw" by others, faces significant pressure. Doubts about his foot quickness against top NFL pass rushers stem from difficult stretches during his college career. His performance in Indianapolis is seen as crucial to solidifying his evaluation. This prospect is currently ranked 29th overall but could ascend to the top five if he impresses.

  • Risers and Declines: The combine is an environment where reputations can be solidified or questioned. Analysts identify "risers" whose performances exceed expectations and those who may see their stock fall due to less impressive showings.

Timing and Schedule of the Combine

The NFL Combine typically spans several days, with specific days dedicated to different position groups for their medical evaluations, interviews, and on-field workouts. For example, in recent years, defensive linemen and linebackers have often been scheduled for drills on Fridays, followed by defensive backs and tight ends on Saturdays, and quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs on Sundays. Offensive linemen usually have their on-field work on a different day, often earlier in the week. The entire event usually concludes around the first weekend of March.

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Expert Opinions on Player Potential

Analysts often debate the potential impact of combine performances on a player's draft trajectory.

  • "Stamp on his evaluation": This phrase is used to describe a prospect whose combine workout is seen as a definitive indicator of their NFL readiness. A strong performance can solidify a high draft projection.

  • Skepticism regarding foot quickness: For some prospects, particularly those who may have struggled with certain aspects of their game in college, questions about fundamental athletic traits like foot speed and agility can be a significant hurdle. How they perform in agility drills and position-specific movements can either alleviate or exacerbate these concerns.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the NFL Combine and why is it important for players in 2026?
The NFL Combine is an event held in late February or early March where college football players show their skills to NFL teams. Their performance can greatly affect where they are picked in the NFL Draft.
Q: Which Alabama prospect is getting a lot of attention at the 2026 NFL Combine?
An Alabama player is a key focus. Some scouts think he could be a Round 3 pick, but if he does very well at the combine, especially in foot speed, he might be picked in the top 5.
Q: What specific skills are being tested for prospects at the 2026 NFL Combine?
Players are tested in many ways, including speed (40-yard dash), strength (bench press), and jumping (vertical and broad jump). They also do drills for their specific football positions.
Q: Why is foot speed a concern for some players at the 2026 NFL Combine?
For some players, like the Alabama prospect mentioned, scouts worry if they are fast enough to play against NFL speed. Their performance in speed and agility drills is very important to answer these questions.
Q: Who are some experts watching the 2026 NFL Combine?
ESPN analysts like Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid, and Field Yates are watching closely. They give opinions on how players are doing and how it might change their draft predictions.