During the first day of practice at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, there were defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers, and there were a few guys who were absolutely making noise.
Inside, Oklahoma State’s Grayson Holden is the clear winner. The 36.5-inch vertical height is different at defensive tackle. It’s a real banger, not just a “fit for his size.” You see that lower body pop and you start thinking about interior destroyers, not just space devourers or lane closers. Penn State’s Zane Durant backed up his tape with a 4.75 40-yard dash and a 1.66 10-yard dash. What really matters is the split, but more importantly the combine, so why not celebrate a 40-yard dash? Texas A&M’s Albert Regis didn’t dominate in any practice, but he was strong in all areas and showed an athleticism that might have teams reconsidering his spot on draft boards. He was outstanding on day one.
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On the edge, Cassius Howell looks like he was shot out of a cannon, and despite his size, his explosiveness immediately showed in practice. Danny Sutton confirms what we thought about his athletic ceiling. When the movements match the body type, the Scouts will begin to nod in unison.
In linebacker drills, OSU’s players performed well. Sonny Styles put on a show at 4.46 40 with a 43.5-inch vertical that was unfair given his size. This was not a normal move for a man of his size. With his athleticism and the ability he showed on tape, he could be a terrifyingly good player at the next level. Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez showed elite agility, while Indiana’s Aiden Fisher looked fluid and commanded the space. Kyle Lewis might not make the biggest headlines, but he’s quick and clean in training. Sometimes you just have to trust your eyes, and he definitely passed that test. Also, I’d like to give some credit to Jake Goldy, who has looked great in practice and could be a snap as a Green Point linebacker after the second round of the NFL Draft.
Look, this is the “NFL Underwear Olympics”, the pads have come off, testing doesn’t replace the film, we know it. But when a guy shows up in Indy and confirms the athletic traits you thought were there and the NFL size to match, that’s when the stock really starts to rise. We had some defenders on day one who were not just involved, but involved. They might get people to rewatch the tape.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL combine: LB and DL stand out
