The second night of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone as the focus now shifts to the weekend.
Friday’s workouts still offered plenty of highlights, however.
The defensive backs kicked off the second day in Indianapolis with a bang. Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston came into the day with the opportunity to turn in a blazing time in the 40-yard dash, which he did with ease. The cornerback finished with an official 4.28 in the event, the best of the combine thus far.
South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori was a standout performer in the second phase of the day before we bid farewell to defenders at this year’s combine.
Tight ends had the chance to introduce themselves as the final positional group to take the field on Friday. While opt outs and injuries dominated the conversation at that spot, Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson had viewers thinking otherwise.
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Ferguson walks away as one of the biggest winners following his workout, surely primed to rise up the draft boards in the aftermath.
Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers are on deck for Saturday’s action, but don’t overlook some of the impact players that performed on day two. Here’s a look at how it all unfolded in Indianapolis on Friday.
Day 2 of NFL combine comes to a close
Just like that, the curtain comes down on the second night of the 2025 NFL combine. The tight ends and defensive backs put on a show, but the main event is set for tomorrow. The quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers will have their time in the spotlight, with the action set to get underway at 1 p.m. ET.
Terrance Ferguson is fastest tight end in 40-yard dash
Injuries, opt outs and more left only a few tight ends that would test at the combine in 2025. The Oregon Duck took advantage of that, beating out the 13 other competitors by posting a position-best 4.63 unofficial 40-yard dash.
Tight ends take the field to begin offensive player testing
The defenders are all done at the 2025 NFL combine, opening the door for the offense to steal the show. Penn State’s Tyler Warren is considered to be the best available at the tight end spot, but he won’t participate.
Pittsburgh’s Gavin Bartholomew gets us going with a 4.73 40-yard dash.
Nick Emmanwori hits goal with sub-4.40 40-yard dash
The South Carolina safety made it a point to run a sub-4.40 40-yard dash, and he accomplished that on his second run on Friday. He ran an unofficial 4.38, achieving that goal. That’s especially impressive considering his 6-3, 220-lb. frame.
Safeties take the field to close out defensive player testing
Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman kicks off the remaining group of defensive back players to run the 40-yard dash and to participate in drills. All eyes are on Nick Emmanwori, who could find himself in much more favorable draft position if he finishes out testing strong.
Nick Emmanwori posts 43-inch vertical leap
Safety prospect Nick Emmanwori reached for the sky on a crazy vertical leap on Friday. The South Carolina product reached 43 inches on the vert at 6-3, 220-plus lbs. That number is good for tied for third for safety prospects since tracking began.
Maxwell Hairston winning the day after 40-yard dash, drills
The Kentucky cornerback lit up stopwatches with his blazing 4.28 40-yard dash time, but he also looked silky smooth in position drills. Hairston might be the standout DB of Thursday’s combine drills and times, making for an intriguing prospect to watch entering April.
Maxwell Hairston among fastest NFL combine players in recent history
Maxwell Hairston has wheels. The Kentucky DB’s 4.28 40-yard dash time was impressive, but to put that in perspective, he hit a top speed of 24.25 mph, the fifth-fastest recorded time over the last three NFL combines.
Cornerbacks 40-yard dash results
The 40-yard dash is in the books as the cornerbacks cleared their first hurdle of the NFL combine. Maxwell Hairston gets to call himself the fastest defensive back in the class until further notice, with some close contenders right behind the speedster. Here’s a look at the top-10 times for the position group (times are unofficial):
Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky: 4.29
Darien Porter, Iowa State: 4.30
Caleb Ransaw, Tulane: 4.33
Jacob Parrish, Kansas State: 4.36
Za Frazier, UTSA: 4.37
Jahdae Barron, Texas: 4.40
Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers: 4.40
Justin Walley, Minnesota: 4.40
Mac McWilliams, UCF: 4.41
Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan: 4.43
Maxwell Hairston runs 4.29 in second attempt
Hairston wasn’t happy with his first run, but he was happier with the second attempt, finishing with a 4.29. It’s not a record, but it’s enough for this Wildcat to find himself alone atop the leaderboard.
Darien Porter matches Maxwell Hairston’s time
The Iowa State cornerback saw Hairston’s 4.30 time and decided to match it with a 4.30 of his own – a fitting time for a Cyclone.
Maxwell Hairston shows off the speed
Hairston turned in a blazing 4.30 40-yard dash, quickly cementing himself as the time to beat for his fellow defensive backs. The Kentucky cornerback didn’t look pleased with that time, however, so all eyes will be on him for the second attempt coming up later.
Travis Hunter didn’t choose combine position
Stacy Dales of NFL Network reported on the broadcast that Hunter not only didn’t chose his position, but also doesn’t know who made that decision. While Hunter won’t be working out at the event, he has remained adamant about the desire to play both receiver and cornerback at the pro level.
Day 2 of the NFL combine begins
Day two of the combine is underway and the defensive backs are up first at the 40-yard dash. BJ Adams out of UCF turns in a 4.54 to kick things off.
How to watch the NFL combine today
Date: Friday, Feb. 28
TV channel: NFL Network
Live stream: Fubo
NFL Network will carry the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine from Thursday through Sunday.
For those who want to live stream the event, Fubo carries NFL Network. Fubo also comes with a free trial.
Watch the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine with Fubo (free trial)
What time are NFL combine workouts today?
Start time: 3 p.m. ET
The defensive back and tight end position groups take the field in Indianapolis at 3 p.m. ET.
NFL combine schedule
Here is how the schedule of events looks for combine week in Indianapolis:
Placekickers, defensive linemen, linebackers:
Media availability session, kicking workout: Wednesday, Feb. 26
Measurements and on-field workout: Thursday, Feb. 27
Bench press, departure: Friday, Feb. 28
Defensive backs, tight ends:
Media availability session: Thursday, Feb. 27
Measurements and on-field workout: Friday, Feb. 28
Bench press, departure: Saturday, March 1
Running backs, quarterbacks, wide receivers:
Media availability session: Friday, Feb. 28
Measurements and on-field workout: Saturday, March 1
Bench press, departure: Sunday, March 2
Offensive linemen:
Media availability session: Saturday, March 1
Measurements and on-field workout: Sunday, March 2
Bench press, departure: Monday, March 3
USA TODAY Sport’s Nick Brinkerhoff contributed to this article.
