The scouting teams at the NFL Combine use the bench press to test the athletes’ muscle strength and endurance. NFL hopefuls are asked to lift a 225-lb (102 kg) barbell for as many full, consecutive reps as possible. The NFL Combine Bench Press is the biggest test of strength the players will face this week in Indianapolis.
This isn’t a typical training method, so these tables may not feature some of the more popular names in the 2023 draft class, but here’s a look at the best performers in the bench press, first overall then by position.
For a full recap of the NFL Combine with all measurements and positions, 4for4.com has a live updated results tracker.
Top 10 Bench Press Overall
Rank | Player | Position | School | Bench Press (reps) |
1. | Mazi Smith | DT | Michigan | 34 |
2. | Lonnie Phelps | EDGE | Kansas | 31 |
3. | Jaquelin Roy | DT | LSU | 30 |
4. | Tyler Lacy | DE | Oklahoma State | 30 |
5. | Keion White | EDGE | Georgia Tech | 30 |
6. | Moro Ojomo | DT | Texas | 29 |
7. | Owen Pappoe | LB | Auburn | 29 |
8. | DJ Johnson | Edge | Oregon | 28 |
9. | Jalen Redmond | DT | Oklahoma | 27 |
10. | Noah Sewell | LB | Oregon | 27 |
Defensive Line
The following members of the defensive line posted the most bench press reps at the 2023 NFL Combine.
Rank | Player | Position | School | Bench Press (reps) |
1. | Mazi Smith | DT | Michigan | 34 |
2. | Lonnie Phelps | EDGE | Kansas | 31 |
3. | Jaquelin Roy | DT | LSU | 30 |
4. | Tyler Lacy | DE | Oklahoma State | 30 |
5. | Keion White | EDGE | Georgia Tech | 30 |
6. | Moro Ojomo | DT | Texas | 29 |
7. | DJ Johnson | Edge | Oregon | 28 |
8. | Jalen Redmond | DT | Oklahoma | 27 |
9. | Adetomiwa Adebawore | DE | Northwestern | 27 |
10. | Zach Harrison | EDGE | Ohio State | 25 |
Linebackers
The table below shows the 10 linebackers with the most 225-lb bench press reps at this year’s NFL Combine.
Rank | Player | School | Bench Press (reps) |
1. | Owen Pappoe | Auburn | 29 |
2. | Noah Sewell | Oregon | 27 |
3. | Isaiah Moore | NC State | 26 |
4. | Trenton Simpson | Clemson | 25 |
5. | Jeremy Banks | Tennessee | 25 |
6. | Shaka Heyward | Duke | 22 |
7. | SirVocea Dennis | Pittsburgh | 19 |
8. | Charlie Thomas | Georgia Tech | 18 |
9. | Cam Jones | Indiana | 17 |
10. | DeMarvion Overshown | Texas | 15 |
Defensive Backs
Below you’ll find the 10 cornerbacks and safeties with the most bench reps at the 2023 NFL Combine
Rank | Player | Position | School | Bench Press (reps) |
1. | Trey Dean III | SAF | Florida | 25 |
2. | Sydney Brown | SAF | Illinois | 23 |
3. | Jammie Robinson | SAF | Florida State | 23 |
4. | Daniel Scott | SAF | California | 22 |
5. | Chamarri Conner | SAF | Virginia Tech | 20 |
6. | Rashad Torrence II | SAF | Florida | 20 |
7. | Clark Phillips III | CB | Utah | 18 |
8. | Ji’Ayir Brown | SAF | Penn State | 18 |
9. | Brandon Joseph | SAF | Notre Dame | 17 |
10. | Cory Trice Jr. | CB | Purdue | 17 |
Wide Receivers
Here’s a look at the 10 wide receivers with the most bench press reps at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
Rank | Player | School | Bench Press (reps) |
1. | Michael Wilson | Stanford | 23 |
2. | Jonathan Mingo | Mississippi | 22 |
3. | Jaray Jenkins | LSU | 20 |
4. | Jacob Copeland | Maryland | 20 |
5. | Andrei Iosivas | Princeton | 19 |
6. | Justin Shorter | Florida | 18 |
7. | Jason Brownlee | Southern Mississippi | 16 |
8. | Parker Washington | Penn State | 16 |
9. | Michael Jefferson | Louisiana | 16 |
10. | Mitchell Tinsley | Penn State | 14 |
Tight Ends
This table shows the 10 tight ends who benched pressed 225 lbs the most consecutive times at this year’s NFL Combine event.
Rank | Player | School | Bench Press (reps) |
1. | Brenton Strange | Penn State | 23 |
2. | Zack Kuntz | Old Dominion | 23 |
3. | Tucker Kraft | South Dakota State | 23 |
4. | Darnell Washington | Georgia | 21 |
5. | Will Mallory | Miami | 20 |
6. | Travis Volkolek | Nebraska | 20 |
7. | Brayden Willis | Oklahoma | 20 |
8. | Blake Whiteheart | Wake Forest | 20 |
9. | Noah Gindorf | North Dakota State | 16 |
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Running Backs
These 10 rushers posted the most bench press reps at the 2023 NFL Combine.
Rank | Player | School | Bench Press (reps) |
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For a more thorough list of all measurements and on-field drills, check out the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Schedule, Participants, & Live Updated Results at 4for4.com.