More than 300 college football players will meet in Indianapolis this week for the 2025 NFL Combine, hoping to make a good enough impression on scouts that they’ll hear their name called in April during the NFL Draft.
Players from all positions spanning every conference of the NCAA’s Division I Football Bowl Subdivision will be represented during the NFL Combine. There are also six players that each represent a different NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision school.
Out of the 329 total prospects, several athletes from Iowa colleges will be taking part in the NFL Combine. Here’s a look at all those players and how you can watch the 2025 NFL Combine.
What is the NFL Combine?
The annual event, held since 1982, allows prospects to improve their draft stock in front of evaluators from all 32 teams by participating in several physical and mental drills and tests.
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Key drills include how many reps a player can bench press 225 pounds, how fast they can run a 40-yard dash and how far they can perform a standing broad jump.
What Iowa State football players were invited to the 2025 NFL Combine?
Following a historic 2024 season for Iowa State football, five Cyclones star players have been invited to the 2025 NFL Combine. They are:
- Jayden Higgins, wide receiver
- Jaylin Noel, wide receiver
- Darien Porter, wide receiver
- Jalen Travis, offensive line
- Malik Verdon, defensive back
Iowa State had one player, cornerback T.J. Tampa, invited to last year’s NFL Combine. Tampa, who chose not to work out last March due to an injury, was picked in the fourth round, 130th overall, by the Baltimore Ravens during the 2024 NFL Draft.
What Iowa football players were invited to the 2025 NFL Combine?
Seven former Hawkeyes earned invites to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. They are:
- Kaleb Johnson, running back
- Luke Lachey, tight end
- Connor Colby, offensive lineman
- Yahya Black, defensive lineman
- Jay Higgins, linebacker
- Sebastian Castro, defensive back
- Jermari Harris, defensive back
Iowa had four players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, headlined by Cooper DeJean, who just won a Super Bowl title with the Philadelphia Eagles after the franchise picked him 40th overall.
Were any Northern Iowa or Drake football players invited to the 2025 NFL Combine?
No, Iowa and Iowa State were the only schools to have players invited to the 2025 NFL Combine.
The last time UNI had a player invited to the NFL Combine was in 2022, when the Panthers sent offensive lineman Trevor Penning and wide receiver Isaiah Weston to Indianapolis. Penning was drafted 19th overall by the New Orleans Saints, and Weston spent time with the Cleveland Browns after going undrafted but would retire in May 2023 after a series of knee injuries.
A Drake University alum hasn’t been invited to the NFL Combine since 2017, when tight end Eric Saubert took part in the drills and eventually got drafted 174th overall to the Atlanta Falcons.
When is the 2025 NFL combine?
The 2025 NFL Combine runs from Thursday, Feb. 27, to Sunday, March 2.
When is the 2025 NFL draft?
The 2025 NFL draft will begin with the first round on Thursday, April 24. Rounds 2 and 3 occur the following day, and the draft will conclude on its third day with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 26.
How to watch NFL Combine 2025
NFL Combine schedule
Here is how the schedule of events looks for combine week in Indianapolis:
Placekickers, defensive linemen and linebackers:
- Media availability session, kicking workout: Wednesday, Feb. 26
- Measurements and on-field workout: Thursday, Feb. 27
- Bench press, departure: Friday, Feb. 28
Defensive backs and tight ends:
- Media availability session: Thursday, Feb. 27
- Measurements and on-field workout: Friday, Feb. 28
- Bench press, departure: Saturday, March 1
Running backs, quarterbacks and wide receivers:
- Media availability session: Friday, Feb. 28
- Measurements and on-field workout: Saturday, March 1
- Bench press, departure: Sunday, March 2
Offensive linemen:
- Media availability session: Saturday, March 1
- Measurements and on-field workout: Sunday, March 2
- Bench press, departure: Monday, March 3
USA TODAY reporter Nick Brinkerhoff contributed to this report.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
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