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

The first day of workouts at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine continued Thursday with the final position group of the night. Linebackers took to the field at Lucas Oil Stadium for the 40-yard dash.

The 40-yard dash is the first event of the day as NFL Draft prospects look to improve their stock. Scouts, coaches, and executives from across the league made their way to Indianapolis for the Combine, which is another major event in the pre-draft process.

While nobody made their way into the top 10 fastest times ever for a linebacker, we still saw plenty of guys flying. Eight different players ran sub-4.6 with the top two going under 4.5. A fun group to see on the 40-yard dash, with the full results below.

1. Kain Medrano, UCLA – 4.46

The fastest time of the day, regardless of position, goes to Medrano. Nearly breaking into the top-10 all-time list for linebackers, the UCLA product will be plenty happy with a 4.46.

Pair the time with an impressive senior season with 72 tackles and 11 tackles for loss. A nice showing in Indianapolis for Medrano.

2. Eugene Asante, Auburn – 4.48

“SEC speed” is a term used a lot and certainly applies to Asante. He was the first linebacker to run and almost held his spot atop the leaderboard throughout the session.

Auburn has a nice recent history of linebackers being selected in the NFL Draft. Asante will certainly be the latest and the great 40-yard Dash showing only helps.

T-3. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama – 4.52

Campbell is one of two players to run a 4.52 on Thursday. One of the more athletic linebackers in the draft cycle, the speed certainly showed up during his runs.

Whoever drafts Campbell will have the ability to line him up in multiple spots, both on-ball and off-ball. A mix of versatility and speed is something NFL teams dream of.

T-3. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma – 4.52

Many were high on Stutsman coming into the NFL Combine. Coached by Brent Venables at Oklahoma, Stutsman was a Consensus All-American for the 2024 season.

Running a 4.52 is going to open some more eyes, though. This time certainly had to catch the eye of scouts and general managers in attendance, maybe making Stutsman a little extra money.

5. Nick Martin, Oklahoma State – 4.53

Martin is the lone linebacker inside the top 10 to come from a Big 12 program. He was a favorite of NFL Network’s Charles Davis, eagerly waiting to see the time Martin ran.

Davis mentioned a moment from the 2023 Big 12 Championship game where Martin was able to catch up with Xavier Worthy — the holder of the all-time fastest 40-yard dash. The 4.53 confirms the speed but the film does not lie either.

T-6. Demetrius Knight, South Carolina – 4.58

Knight has been highlighted as somebody who could fly up draft boards if an impressive NFL Combine is produced. One way to stand out is running well in the 40 and his 4.58 checks the box.

South Carolina was home for just one season after starting at Georgia Tech. It turned into another great use of the NCAA transfer portal from the Gamecocks.

T-6. Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia – 4.58

Seemingly every year, Georgia has a linebacker participating in the NFL Combine. Mondon is the latest and flashed with a sub-4.6 time.

Kirby Smart has put guys into the league with regularity and won games on the field too. Another will be added when Mondon hears his name called, likely sooner rather than later.

T-6. Carson Bruener, Washington – 4.59

Bruener does have the NFL in his bloodline, with his father being a legendary player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, it’s time for the next generation to get his shot in the league.

Washington was where Bruener played his college football, just like his pops. The 40-yard Dash was a little better though with a 0.3 difference at 4.59.

T-9. Teddye Buchanan, Cal – 4.60

Two guys snuck into this year’s top-10 at 4.61, beginning with Buchanan. The first-team All-ACC product impressed with his time as he is listed at 6-2, 235 pounds.

Another well-experienced college player, Buchanan spent four seasons at UC-Davis before transferring to Cal. NFL Network’s Rich Eisen told the story of him communicating back and forth between the two schools at one point, showing his dedication while finishing up a degree.

T-9. Fransisco Mauigoa, Miami – 4.60

They might play on opposite sides of the country but Mauigoa joined his conference mate with a 4.61. Although, he was second-team All-ACC with the Hurricanes.

Mauigoa finished four tackles shy of 100 on the season during his senior season. Two years were spent at Miami after starting his career at Washington State.

Rest of the linebackers’ 40-yard dash times

Jeffery Bassa, Oregon – 4.63
Bam Martin-Scott, South Carolina – 4.63
Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss – 4.63
Shemar James, Florida – 4.69
Power Echols, North Carolina – 4.73
Jay Higgins, Iowa – 4.82

The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine runs through the weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. From there, the sprint is on to Green Bay for the NFL Draft April 24-26.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report