Several Group of Five players maximized their opportunities at the NFL Combine. In front of pro scouts competing with the most elite college players, they still found a way to stand out.
Last year, players like Rashee Rice of SMU and Tank Dell of Houston weren’t drafted in the first round after playing outside of the Power Five conferences but used NFL Combine workouts to improve their draft stocks and set themselves up for success at the pro level.
Here’s a look at the G5 standouts of the 2024 NFL Combine.
Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Quinyon Mitchell was probably going to be drafted in the first round with or without a stellar performance at the NFL Combine. But he went ahead and shined anyway.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Mitchell’s score at the NFL Combine was a 90, which is considered elite. He was one of five elite prospects at the combine, and his score was first among all cornerbacks.
The 6-foot, 195-pound prospect was second among cornerbacks and third among all position groups with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash and was first of the corners with 20 reps in the bench press.
After those numbers and considering how he played at Toledo, Mitchell deserves to be drafted in the first 15 picks in April.
Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
Mohamed Kamara was a player to watch going into the draft because of his production while playing in the Mountain West. He was in the top four in the FBS with 13 sacks in 2023. But would his skills measure up against the best players in the country?
That question was emphatically answered. At 6-1, 248 pounds, he was third among defensive ends with a 4.57-second 40, tied for fifth with 23 bench press reps, and tied for sixth with a broad jump of 10 feet, 3 inches.
Kamara also had a successful Shrine Bowl. So now with plenty of tape going against Power Five players and measurables as good as nearly any FBS player at his position in this class, NFL teams will have to seriously consider drafting Kamara.
Frank Crum, Wyoming
Frank Crum was one of those prospects who was considered by some to be on the fringe of being drafted. But the former Wyoming offensive lineman took full advantage of his NFL Combine invite.
At 6-8, 313 pounds, Crum ran the 40 in 4.94 seconds, which was the third-fastest time for an offensive lineman. He was in the top six with a three-cone drill of 7.39 seconds and a broad jump of 9 feet, 6 inches.
Crum gained some notoriety thanks to his hair, which many on social media called “phenomenal.” But his testing numbers are what scouts will remember, and he may have solidified his case to be picked by the third day of the draft.
Tyrice Knight, UTEP
Tyrice Knight stood out while playing in Conference USA, making the HERO Sports G5 All-American first team in 2023. But having played in a league like CUSA, many didn’t rank Knight too highly on their draft boards.
But that may have changed after the combine. At 6-feet and 1/2 inch tall and 233 pounds, he participated in every measurable combine drill and was in the top eight for all of them.
In the always-competitive 40-yard dash, Knight was eighth among linebackers at 4.63 seconds. He tied for seventh in both the broad jump (9 feet, 11 inches) and the vertical jump (34.5 inches). He tied for the most bench press reps at his position group with 21 reps and was third in the three-cone drill (7.25 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.4 seconds).
Those are all impressive numbers. Knight proved he has the athleticism to compete at the highest levels.
Jordan Magee, Temple
Another G5 All-American, Jordan Magee didn’t experience that much team success while at Temple. But he played at a high level in the AAC.
And now, he’s proven he has the speed and explosiveness to go toe-to-toe with Power Five players. He was already one of the best G5 prospects going into the NFL Combine, and he further bolstered his case with how he performed in Indianapolis.
At 6-1, 228 pounds, Magee was fifth among linebackers with a 4.55-second 40. He also tied for third with a broad jump of 10 feet, 4 inches and tied for fourth with a 35.5-inch vertical.
Magee proved he has the potential the NFL is looking for.
Dallin Holker, Colorado State
Dallin Holker, a first-team G5 All-American tight end, not only did well with measurable drills. He took the spotlight when he snagged a one-handed pass during positional drills at the combine.
But aside from that, the 6-3, 241-pound prospect was top 10 in every measurable drill except the 40, where he was 11th at 4.78 seconds. He was second in the 20-yard shuttle (4.21 seconds) and three-cone drill (6.83 seconds). He was also fourth in the broad jump (10 feet, 2 inches) and tied for eighth in the vertical (32.5 inches).
Holker is a versatile tight end, and he might’ve risen up draft boards with his performance.