The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine has exploded into action in Indianapolis, and two Ohio State linebackers have immediately stolen the show. Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles delivered electrifying performances that have scouts and analysts buzzing, with Reese clocking a blazing 4.46-second 40-yard dash and Styles shattering the linebacker vertical jump record with a 43.5-inch leap. As the premier evaluation event for the upcoming NFL Draft unfolds at Lucas Oil Stadium, these standout moments are already dramatically reshaping draft boards and setting the tone for a week of high-stakes athletic showcases.
How the Ohio State Duo Dominated Day One
Arvell Reese, participating with edge rushers at the combine, didn't just run fast—he put together a complete athletic profile that solidified his first-round status. According to Cleveland.com, the Ohio State standout ran his 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds with a blistering 1.58-second 10-yard split, showcasing the explosive first-step acceleration that NFL teams covet in pass rushers. His performance was so impressive that NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah immediately moved him up his draft board, noting the rare combination of size and speed that Reese displayed.
Meanwhile, teammate Sonny Styles generated what NFL.com described as "huge buzz" with a historic vertical jump of 43.5 inches. At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, Styles' leap represents the highest vertical ever recorded by any player 6-foot-4 or taller and any player weighing 240 pounds or more at the combine. Fox Sports reported that Styles also posted an 11-foot-2 broad jump and ran his 40-yard dash in the 4.4-second range, making him arguably the most athletic linebacker prospect in recent memory.
Timeline: The 2026 NFL Combine Schedule and Key Events
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine follows a carefully structured schedule that began on Thursday, February 26, and runs through Sunday, March 1, at Lucas Oil Stadium. According to NFL.com's official schedule, the opening day featured defensive linemen and linebackers taking the field for measurements and on-field drills—the session where Reese and Styles made their mark. Friday, February 27, shifts focus to defensive backs and tight ends, while Saturday, February 28, brings the highly anticipated quarterback and wide receiver workouts. The event concludes on Sunday, March 1, with offensive linemen and specialists completing their evaluations.
This year's combine features 319 invited prospects, all vying for improved draft positioning through a grueling gauntlet of medical examinations, team interviews, psychological testing, and on-field drills. The Democrat and Chronicle reported that the fastest 40-yard dash times through the early sessions have already created separation among edge rushers, with Reese's 4.46 and Texas Tech's David Bailey's 4.50 leading the pack at their position group.
Why These Performances Matter: Expert Analysis and Draft Impact
Mel Kiper Jr. and Matt Miller of ESPN had identified both Ohio State linebackers as potential combine stars in their preview, but even they were surprised by the magnitude of these performances. "When you see a linebacker with that kind of vertical explosion, it translates directly to pass defense and playmaking ability," Kiper noted in his post-workout analysis. "Styles just put himself in the conversation for a top-15 pick, and Reese might have cemented himself as a top-10 edge rusher in this class."
The financial implications are substantial. According to draft value charts, moving from a late first-round selection to a top-15 pick represents a difference of millions in guaranteed money. For Reese, his 4.46-second 40-yard dash at his size (6-foot-4, 251 pounds) places him in elite company historically. Only a handful of edge rushers weighing over 250 pounds have broken the 4.5-second barrier at the combine, and those players have typically been selected within the first 20 picks.
NFL scouts who spoke anonymously to Fox Sports highlighted how Styles' record-breaking vertical demonstrates lower-body explosiveness that directly correlates with tackling power and coverage range. "That's not just athleticism—that's functional football athleticism," one AFC scout explained. "When a linebacker can get that kind of elevation, he can match up with tight ends in jump-ball situations and deliver more powerful tackles through his hips and legs."
Where Things Stand Now: Other Standout Performers and Results
While the Ohio State duo captured headlines, several other prospects have significantly boosted their draft stock through the combine's opening days. According to Pride Of Detroit's comprehensive analysis, Clemson's T.J. Parker posted a 1.61/4.68 10/40-yard dash split with a 34-inch vertical and 10-foot broad jump, earning a top-five athleticism score among edge rushers. Texas Tech's David Bailey recorded a 1.62/4.50 split with a 35-inch vertical and 10-foot-9 broad jump, securing the third-best athletic profile at the position.
Auburn's Keldric Faulk chose to participate only in on-field drills rather than measured testing, but his performance in pass-rushing exercises turned heads. "Faulk's length immediately stands out, as does his body control," the Pride Of Detroit analysis noted. "He demonstrated natural, translatable skills including keeping his head up and eyes in proper position, as well as a strong initial punch in bag drills."
The Democrat and Chronicle's tracking of the fastest 40-yard dash times revealed a clear hierarchy developing among edge rushers, with Reese's 4.46 leading the group, followed by Bailey's 4.50 and several prospects in the 4.6-second range. These measurable differences, though seemingly small, create significant separation in how teams evaluate first-step quickness and pursuit speed—critical attributes for modern NFL pass rushers.
What Happens Next: Quarterbacks, Receivers, and Final Evaluations
With the linebacker and edge rusher groups completing their workouts, attention now turns to the skill position players who take center stage over the weekend. Quarterbacks and wide receivers will undergo their on-field drills on Saturday, February 28, in what traditionally represents the combine's most-watched session. Several quarterback prospects, including Fernando Mendoza, have generated pre-combine buzz about their athletic testing potential, while the wide receiver class features multiple players projected to run sub-4.4-second 40-yard dashes.
NFL teams will spend the next 48 hours conducting formal interviews with prospects, reviewing medical reports, and comparing athletic testing data against their game film evaluations. The final on-field session on Sunday featuring offensive linemen will complete the athletic profile for every position group, giving teams a comprehensive data set to finalize their draft boards before pro days and private workouts begin in March.
As ESPN's draft experts noted in their combine preview, the event serves as the "great equalizer" where prospects from smaller schools can compete directly with Power Five conference stars. The performances recorded in Indianapolis become permanent parts of a player's draft resume, referenced for years in comparisons and historical context. For Reese and Styles, their record-setting displays have already secured their places in combine lore while potentially adding millions to their future NFL contracts.
The Bottom Line: Key Takeaways from the 2026 NFL Combine's Opening Act
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine has delivered exactly the drama and athletic spectacle that makes it a cornerstone of the pre-draft process. Arvell Reese's 4.46-second 40-yard dash and Sonny Styles' 43.5-inch vertical jump have immediately become the benchmark performances for this year's event, demonstrating the rare athleticism that separates potential stars from ordinary prospects. With edge rushers like T.J. Parker and David Bailey also posting impressive numbers, NFL teams now face difficult decisions about how to weigh combine performance against game film as they construct their draft boards.
As the combine continues through the weekend, the performances of quarterbacks and wide receivers will determine whether the Ohio State linebackers remain the headline story or get joined by other record-breaking prospects. What remains certain is that the 2026 NFL Draft landscape has already been fundamentally altered by what transpired on the Lucas Oil Stadium turf, proving once again why the combine remains the most consequential job interview in American sports.
