Why Many Ohio State Football Stars Aren’t Doing All NFL Combine Drills

The NFL Scouting Combine is an annual event where top draft prospects from college football showcase their athleticism, skills, and mental fortitude in front of NFL teams. It’s a critical moment in a player’s journey to the NFL. However, not every prospect participates in every drill during the Combine, and several Ohio State football players, including top defensive end Jack Sawyer, have chosen to skip certain workouts, including the 40-yard dash.

This decision to limit participation at the Combine is not uncommon, especially for elite prospects with established game tape and measurable athletic skills. It’s an interesting trend that raises questions about the Combine’s true value and whether it’s always in a player’s best interest to participate in every drill.

Jack Sawyer’s Decision and the 40-Yard Dash

Jack Sawyer, a standout defensive end from Ohio State, has been considered one of the top edge rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Despite his impressive production and skills on the field, Sawyer decided not to run the 40-yard dash at the Combine. This decision may raise eyebrows for fans and analysts, but it’s part of a growing trend among top-tier prospects to focus on position-specific drills rather than showcasing their general athleticism through the 40-yard dash.

The 40-yard dash is a marquee drill at the Combine, measuring a player’s speed over a short distance, but it’s not always the best representation of a player’s ability to perform in a football game. Defensive linemen like Sawyer may prefer to demonstrate their quickness, agility, and explosiveness in drills that directly translate to their position, rather than an isolated sprint. Many players, including Sawyer, will save their sprint performance for their respective Pro Day, where they can control the environment and focus on their strengths.

Factors Influencing the Decision

The decision to skip some drills at the Combine is influenced by several key factors, including injury prevention, preparation for Pro Day, and the confidence that a player’s game tape already provides a strong evaluation.

Injury Prevention

One of the most significant reasons players choose to skip Combine drills is the potential for injury. Participating in multiple drills increases the risk of muscle strains, tears, or other injuries that could affect a player’s draft stock. The Combine can be intense, and many players prefer to avoid the added risk, especially after already enduring a full season of college football. By limiting their participation, players can better preserve their bodies and ensure they’re at their best for Pro Day and the NFL Draft.

Focus on Pro Day

For many players, the NFL Combine is just one part of the overall draft process. Pro Days, which are hosted at a player’s college, provide a more familiar setting where they can perform drills with their coaching staff present. The controlled environment of Pro Day often feels less stressful, and athletes have more comfort with the equipment and field conditions. As a result, many Ohio State players, including defensive tackle Ty Hamilton and linebacker Cody Simon, choose to do the bulk of their testing at Pro Day, where they can have more individualized attention.

“Pro Day is my opportunity to really focus on the drills that matter most for me,” said Simon, explaining his choice to skip the Combine drills. “It’s more personal, and I’ll be with the coaches I’m used to. I’m focused on showing what I can do in the drills that matter for my position.”

Evaluated Through Game Tape

For top prospects, game tape is often the most important piece of evaluation. Scouts and NFL teams have access to hours of footage from a player’s college career, and this can provide much more insight into their ability to perform under pressure than a few seconds of Combine drills. Players like Sawyer have already demonstrated their skill set in high-stakes college games, and many believe that their game performances are sufficient to prove their abilities.

Instead of focusing on the 40-yard dash or bench press, players can showcase their skills in the specific drills that highlight their position. For example, edge rushers like Sawyer can demonstrate their pass-rushing techniques, explosiveness, and ability to read offensive linemen through position-specific drills like the three-cone drill and shuttle runs. These drills better reflect a player’s ability to succeed at their position on the field.

Personal Strategy

Every prospect has their own strategy for approaching the Combine. Some feel it’s more important to highlight their strengths rather than trying to prove that they’re an all-around athlete. This approach is particularly common among players who have already established themselves as top-tier prospects. It allows them to focus on what they do best, instead of trying to score high in every category, which may not be the best representation of their abilities.

Some players even feel that a strong performance in position-specific drills can help them rise in draft rankings. For example, a defensive back who excels in agility drills may improve their chances of being selected by a team that prioritizes quickness and footwork over raw speed. By focusing on the drills that matter most to their position, players can shape their narrative and ensure that NFL teams are evaluating them on the traits that are most relevant to their future role in the league.

Why Do Ohio State Players Skip Drills?

Ohio State football has produced countless NFL talent over the years, and its players often come into the Combine with high expectations. As a result, many of the Buckeyes who are eligible for the NFL Draft choose to limit their participation in certain drills. While this may seem counterintuitive, it’s a calculated decision made to benefit the players in the long run.

Ohio State players are among the most scouted prospects in the nation, meaning they have already been evaluated extensively by NFL teams. With their skills already well-documented on tape, they have little to prove with a 40-yard dash or bench press performance. Instead, they focus on the drills that showcase their football-specific abilities, allowing them to preserve their bodies and control their Combine narrative.

Additionally, Ohio State’s coaching staff, which has a strong reputation for developing NFL-ready players, provides an excellent environment for prospects to fine-tune their skills. This coaching experience, combined with extensive game film, allows players to feel confident skipping certain drills at the Combine and instead focus on the aspects of their game that are most relevant to NFL teams.