2025 NFL Scouting Combine: Top 10 fastest 40-yard dash times for defensive tackles

The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine has kicked off, and the defensive tackles took the field for the 40-yard dash. The fastest times from the big guys can be found below.

19 defensive tackles competed in the 40-yard dash, and seven of them ran a time of under five seconds. Here’s a look at the 10 fastest 40-yard dash times for the defensive tackles.

1. Ty Robinson, Nebraska – 4.83

Ty Robinson started all 13 games this past season and played in 60 career games for Nebraska. He finished the year with 37 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

Robinson will be an attractive pick for teams because of his speed and production.

T2. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia – 4.86

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins helped Georgia win the SEC in 2024, tallying 19 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks. He was part of the 2021 and 2022 Georgia teams that won national titles.

Ingram-Dawkins has speed (which was shown at the Combine), but experience and production has been a question for NFL scouts.

T2. Jared Harrison-Hunte, SMU – 4.86

Jared Harrison-Hunte started all 14 games this past season and recorded 42 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and one interception. His work on the field led to him being named to the All-ACC First Team.

Harrison-Hunte played a big role in SMU’s run to the ACC Championship game and College Football Playoff.

4. Aeneas Peebles, Virgina Tech, – 4.95

Aeneas Peebles played in 12 games for Virginia Tech last season and posted 31 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. This led to him being named to the All-ACC First Team.

Zierlein compared Peebles to Darius Philon.

T5. Darius Alexander, Toledo – 4.95

Darius Alexander started all 12 games for Toledo and recorded 40 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. His production led to him being selected to the All-MAC Second Team.

With his speed and ability to get in the backfield, NFL teams will be very interested in Alexander as a rotational defensive lineman.

T5. Derrick Harmon, Oregon – 4.95

Derrick Harmon was named to the Associated Press All-America Second Team after posting 45 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and four passes defended. Harmon played a big role in Oregon’s run to the playoffs.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared Harmon to DaQan Jones.

T5. CJ West, Indiana – 4.95

CJ West transferred to Indiana last season after spending his first four years at Kent State. In his one season with the Hoosiers, West notched 42 tackles and two sacks.

Zierlein said West has “Day 3 value.”

8. Junior Tafuna, Utah – 5.03

In 2024, Junior Tafuna played in 10 games for Utah and made 31 tackles, three tackles for loss and half a sack. In his career, Tafuna played in 48 games with 45 starts.

Tafuna was a consistent defensive lineman as he was selected as an all-conference player in each of his four seasons.

T9. Tommy Akingbesote, Maryland – 5.09

Tommy Akingbesote played in 12 games last year and notched 32 tackles, five tackles for loss and one sack for Maryland. He had a career-best nine tackles in the game against Virginia.

Akingbesote played all four of his seasons at Maryland.

T9. Warren Brinson, Georgia – 5.09

Warren Brinson played in 12 games with four starts last year and recorded 26 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks. He played his entire college career at Georgia.

With his ability, Brinson should see a lot of time as a rotational NFL defensive lineman.

The rest of the DT 40-yard dash times at NFL Combine

11. Joshua Farmer, Florida State, – 5.11

T12. Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech- 5.14

T12. Eric Gregory, Arkansas – 5.14

T14. JJ Pegues, Ole Miss – 5.15

T14. Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia – 5.15

16. Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon – 5.16

17. Cam Jackson, Florida – 5.17

18. Elijah Simmons, Tennessee – 5.37

19. Yahya Black, Iowa- 5.39