Landon Jackson, Shemar Stewart enter elite NFL Combine group, bodes well for Draft

Landon Jackson and Shemar Stewart entered rarefied air at the 2025 NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis on Thursday.

Both DLs now rank within the top four highest vertical jump totals in NFL Combine history among defensive linemen over 260 pounds. Myles Garrett‘s 41-inch vertical (2017) remains a Combine record, but Jackson tied Mario Williams (2006) with a 40.5-inch vertical jump. Stewart jumped a flat 40 inches during his attempt.

“That is an impressive company,” NFL Network’s Stacey Dales said during the Combine. “I was talking to [Jackson] and asked what was his target. He said he’d be happy if he touched 38. He touched 40.5, and then just on Shemar Stewart — he said this week ‘If you don’t pick me, just know I’m going to bring hell to your city.’

“I asked him five things to impress upon teams since you’ve been here. One was set edges, two were to fill gaps. Three, pursue the ball, four, discipline and disrupting the line of scrimmage. The last one was putting other people in a position to have success. Those two guys are so impressive so far.”

Landon Jackson just flew to 40 1/2 on the vert. His defensive group erupted.🚀 pic.twitter.com/7nW0zoQ2e5

— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) February 27, 2025

Jackson, a product of Arkansas, is expected to be one of the first defensive ends taken in April’s draft, and his Combine performance is only helping his case. This past season, he logged 49 tackles and led the team with 6.5 sacks and was a second-team All-SEC selection.

He spent three seasons with the Razorbacks before turning pro. He totaled 116 tackles during that time, including 16 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.

For Stewart, there has been no shortage of pre-draft buzz around the 6-foot-6, 290-pound standout. Stewart tallied 31 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble this past season for the Texas A&M Aggies. For his efforts, he was named an All-SEC Third-Team selection.

Also a three-year college athlete, Stewart wasn’t as productive as Jackson during his collegiate career and has even led to some believing he may struggle to adjust to the professional ranks. He recently called out his doubters at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

“I am everything people say I’m not. People say I can’t pass rush. People say I’m not physical. People say I can’t make plays. So that’s what I’m here to do,” Stewart said. “I’m not going to get mad. I’m not going to get mad about criticism, you know. All I’ve gotta do is just get better.”

The 2025 NFL Draft is set to be held from Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.