The NFL Combine is a crucial part of the draft process as NFL teams analyze how players and their skill sets translate to the professional ranks. The measurables and athleticism of prospects are a big part of their evaluation.
Fifteen former FCS players were at the 2024 combine. The subdivision was well-represented with prospects testing out well. We narrowed down the 15 into the five biggest winners.
RELATED: NFL Combine Results For FCS Players
Houston Christian EDGE Jalyx Hunt
Hunt is an intriguing prospect. He was once a safety at Cornell before moving to EDGE at HCU, not your usual position switch. Described as uber-talented but raw and with room to develop, he proved his athleticism at the combine.
Hunt’s athleticism score ranked 6th out of 20+ EDGE prospects at the combine. The 6-foot-4 and 252-pounder ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash (No. 8 among DEs at the combine), had a 37.5-inch vertical (No. 4), a 10’8’’ broad jump (No. 1), and did 19 reps on the bench press (15th).
SEMO WR Ryan Flournoy
Flournoy had many anticipating how he’d test at the combine. And he did not disappoint.
At 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, he showed a combination of speed and explosiveness. His 4.44-second 40 ranked 15th among 30+ WRs at the combine, his 39.5-inch vertical ranked 7th, Flournoy’s 11’0’’ broad jump was 4th, and his 19 reps on the bench press ranked 2nd.
His athleticism score ranked No. 6 out of the receivers at the combine.
Holy Cross OL C.J. Hanson
Hanson’s combine performance flew under the FCS radar due to record-setting performances from the two offensive linemen below. But Hanson also helped his case to be an NFL Draft pick and has been a steady riser on boards since the predraft process began.
The 6-foot-5 and 300-pounder ranked in the Top 7 out of about 50 offensive linemen in the three events he took part in. His 5-second 40 ranked 6th, Hanson’s 33.5-inch vertical was 7th, and his 9’7’’ broad jump ranked 4th.
Hanson’s athleticism score ranked No. 14 among offensive guards in Indy.
South Dakota State OL Garret Greenfield
Greenfield’s athleticism score among offensive tackles at the combine ranked 7th. His 3-cone drill was middle of the pack, but his 9’5’’ broad jump ranked 9th. Greenfield blew up on social media when his 38.5-inch vertical jump broke the combine record for an offensive lineman.
Will jumping high make you a good NFL lineman? No. But to play at that position in the league you’ll need size and athleticism. Greenfield has the film, stonewalling FCS rushers at left tackle. He has the size at 6-foot-6 and 311 pounds. And now he’s shown he’s more athletic than a majority of the FBS linemen at the combine.
South Dakota State OL Mason McCormick
The biggest FCS winner at the combine, McCormick likely moved up a few rounds after his showing in Indy. His film already makes scouts salivate. But FCS tape will be taken with a grain of salt, so NFL teams want to see a prospect’s athleticism back up what they see on film. And McCormick certainly did that.
At 6-foot-4 and 309 pounds, McCormick ran a 5.08-second 40 to rank 18th among OL at the combine. His 35.5-inch vertical ranked 4th, 9’9’’ broad jump was 1st, 7.59-second 3-cone drill ranked 14th, and 4.45-second 20-yard shuttle was 4th.
McCormick’s athleticism score ranked 1st among offensive guards at the combine. His Relative Athletic Score of 9.96 out of a possible 10.00 ranked 7th out of 1,445 offensive guards at the combine from 1987 to 2024.
