James Pearce Jr. (College: Tennessee)
Pearce, already a projected top-10 pick, was the talk of the town after his incredible performance at the combine.
He posted the best 40-yard dash time (4.47) among defensive linemen, which was second overall behind UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano (4.46).
Pearce also posted the fastest 10-yard split at 1.56 seconds and ranked seventh in the broad jump for his position.
Pearce's 31-inch vertical was 18th among defensive end/EDGE participants, making it his worst event of the combine. But the dominant pass rusher shouldn't have any worries about his draft stock taking a hit after Thursday.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (College: Georgia)
Have yourself a day, big fella! Ingram-Dawkins had the best Combine of all defensive tackles definitely boosting his draft stock to what might be a late second-round pick.
His 40-yard dash (4.86) ranked third at his position and tied for first in the 10-yard split (1.69).
Everything else he posted first in - vertical (36 inches), broad jump (10 feet, four inches), three-cone drill (7.28), and shuttle (4.35)
Smael Mondon Jr. (College: Georgia)
The former Second Team All-SEC had himself a solid day at the Combine - potentially moving him up on teams' draft boards for the mid-rounds.
He was tied seventh in the 40 (4.58) among 16 linebackers and posted a stellar 10-foot 10-inches broad jump - second best of all participants.
Mondon also tied with Auburn's Eugen Asante in the 10-yard split with 1.52 seconds, which currently ranks the best among linebackers and defensive linemen.
Shemar Stewart (College: Texas A&M)
Stewart made waves at the Combine after placing top five in every event he participated in, possibly lifting him into a top 10 pick in the upcoming draft.
His 40-inch vertical was right behind Landon Jackson's (Arkansas) 40.5-inch posting while his 1.58 10-yard split was just 0.02 seconds behind Pearce's for the best.
His 4.59 40-yard dash time was fourth among defensive linemen and his 10-foot 11-inches broad jump was the best of everyone's.
Jihaad Campbell (College: Alabama)
The Second Team All-American was a standout after posting in the top three of every category among linebackers and top five of every event among all the participants.
Campbell ran a 4.52 (third - linebackers, fourth - overall), a 1.53 10-yard split (third overall), and leapt a 10-foot seven-inches broad jump (fourth overall).
But one specific note I loved was seeing him do pass-rush drills with other linebackers linebackers after their workouts. Something like that could be the difference maker between going late first-round and early second-round.
Day Two
Day two of the NFL Scouting Combine will take place on Friday, February 28th with defensive backs and tight ends.