2025 NFL Draft Pro Day Roundup: Standouts and Surprises

Speed Demons: Several prospects turned heads with blazing 40-yard dash times. Alabama QB Jalen Milroe (4.40s), Texas RB Jaydon Blue (an eye-popping 4.25), and Texas WR Isaiah Bond (4.34) showcased elite speed.

Agility Specialists: Impressive short-area quickness was displayed by players like Eastern Washington WR Efton Chism III (elite shuttle/cone times), Pittsburgh LB Brandon George (6.98 three-cone), Rutgers CB Robert Longerbeam (6.76 three-cone), and Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser (6.80 three-cone).

Strength & Power: LSU TE Mason Taylor put up an impressive 28 reps on the bench press, highlighting his functional strength. Ohio State OL Donovan Jackson showed power with 32 reps and excellent length.

Mixed Results: Some highly-touted prospects had less-than-stellar days. Michigan DT Kenneth Grant ran a slower-than-anticipated 40 (5.11s) and had average agility times. Miami WR Xavier Restrepo posted elite agility but a concerning 4.8s 40-yard dash. Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan's 40 (4.48s-4.53s) was solid but perhaps not elite for a top prospect.

Why this matters: Pro day results offer tangible athletic data that teams weigh heavily alongside game film. Exceptional performances can confirm elite traits, boost draft stock, and potentially earn prospects millions. Conversely, disappointing numbers can raise red flags about athletic limitations and cause players to slide down draft boards.

Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama): Confirmed his dynamic athleticism with a reported 4.40-4.46 40-yard dash. While his passing mechanics still require development, his speed is undeniable NFL-caliber.

Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas): Significantly improved his combine time with a stunning 4.25 40-yard dash, potentially the fastest among RBs. This elite speed could help overcome size concerns (5'9", 196 lbs).

Wyett Ekeler (S, Wyoming): The younger brother of NFL RB Austin Ekeler exploded with a 4.44 40, 41.5" vertical, and 10'11" broad jump, showcasing elite athleticism likely boosting his Day 3 draft stock.

Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State): Solidified his likely first-round status with a strong workout, including a 4.45-4.48 40-yard dash and a 38" vertical jump, confirming his smooth athleticism.

Mason Taylor (TE, LSU): Demonstrated impressive strength with 28 bench press reps, complementing solid athletic testing (4.65 40) for his 6'5", 251 lbs frame.

Brandon George (LB, Pittsburgh): Posted jaw-dropping numbers: 4.65 40, 42" vertical, and excellent agility times (6.98 three-cone, 4.14 shuttle), marking him as one of the draft's most athletic linebackers.

Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan): The massive DT (6'3", 330 lbs) didn't hit his target 4.8s 40, running a 5.11-5.13 instead. His average agility times also didn't match the hype, potentially impacting his top-50 projection.

Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona): While productive on tape, his 4.48-4.53 40 time was good but not blazing for a top WR prospect. His 10-yard split and reported comments about watching football drew some attention.

Xavier Restrepo (WR, Miami): Despite high college production and good agility scores (6.83-6.86 three-cone, 4.21 shuttle), his slow 4.81-4.86 40-yard dash is a significant concern for a slot receiver prospect.

Cam Skattebo (RB, Arizona State): Known for tackle-breaking ability and combine explosion (39.5" vert), his 4.65-4.66 40 time at his pro day was disappointingly slow for the position.

Azareye’h Thomas (CB, Florida State): Possesses desirable length (6'1", 33" arms), but his 4.56-4.60 40 time raises questions about his ability to handle NFL speed on the perimeter.

Q: Why are pro days important if players already performed at the NFL Combine?

A: Pro days offer a chance to improve on combine numbers, perform position-specific drills, showcase skills in a comfortable environment, and allow prospects not invited to the combine (or those recovering from injury during the combine) to test in front of scouts. It's another critical data point in the evaluation process.

Q: Does a bad pro day ruin a prospect's draft chances?

A: Not entirely. Game film remains the most critical evaluation tool for most teams. However, poor testing can confirm perceived athletic limitations, raise red flags, or fail to alleviate concerns, potentially causing a player's draft stock to drop. Teams synthesize all available information – tape, testing, interviews, medicals – to make their final assessment.

Pro day results add valuable objective data, but remember they are just one piece of the draft puzzle; game tape is paramount.

Pay attention to how testing numbers align with on-field play – does the speed show up on tape? Do agility scores match a player's quickness in games?

Exceptional athletic testing can indicate untapped potential or confirm elite traits, potentially causing a player to rise on draft boards.

Keep an eye on updated mock drafts in the coming weeks to see how analysts interpret these pro day performances as the 2025 NFL Draft nears.

Source 1: NFL Draft 2025 pro day roundup: Which prospects stood out in their workouts? - The Athletic target="_blank"

Source 2: 2025 NFL Draft: Jalen Milroe, Cam Skattebo headline pro day risers and fallers | FOX Sports target="_blank"

Source 3: Road to the Draft: 5 college pro days to watch | Raiders.com target="_blank"