Shemar Stewart was the talk of Thursday’s NFL Combine.

Shemar Stewart Was the Talk of Thursday’s NFL Combine: A Deep Dive into His Impressive Performance

The NFL Scouting Combine is one of the most high-profile events in the lead-up to the NFL Draft. Every year, dozens of young athletes gather in Indianapolis to showcase their athleticism, skills, and readiness to transition from college to the pros. Among the many standout performances at this year’s Combine, one name has generated an extraordinary amount of buzz: Shemar Stewart, the Texas A&M defensive lineman. Stewart’s remarkable performance on Thursday of the Combine left many experts and scouts buzzing, and his stock has skyrocketed as a result.

Shemar Stewart is a 6’5”, 320-pound defensive lineman with elite physical traits and a motor that seems to never stop. He is widely regarded as one of the top defensive prospects of the 2025 NFL Draft class, and Thursday’s Combine performance provided a glimpse into why so many are predicting a bright future for him in the league. From his explosiveness in the drills to his versatility in his skill set, Stewart had the eyes of NFL scouts, coaches, and analysts on him throughout the day. His performance wasn’t just good—it was historic, setting new benchmarks for defensive linemen participating in the Combine.

In this article, we will explore Shemar Stewart’s Combine performance in detail, analyze what makes him such a highly touted prospect, examine the specific drills where he stood out, and consider how this performance could impact his draft stock moving forward.

Shemar Stewart: A Physical Marvel

Before diving into the specifics of his Combine performance, it’s important to understand why Shemar Stewart is considered one of the top defensive prospects in the country. The Texas A&M standout made a name for himself in the SEC as a dominant force on the defensive line. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism is rare for a player his size, which is why scouts have been so high on him heading into the draft.

At 6’5” and 320 pounds, Stewart is the ideal physical prototype for a defensive lineman. He is big enough to clog up running lanes, yet explosive enough to wreak havoc on quarterbacks. Stewart has a solid build that allows him to engage blockers at the line of scrimmage and use his strength to shed them quickly, but it’s his quickness, agility, and versatility that make him such an intriguing prospect for NFL teams looking to bolster their defensive front.

Shemar Stewart’s time at Texas A&M showcased his rare athleticism for a player of his size. He quickly became a key part of the Aggies’ defensive line, showing the ability to rush the passer and control the line of scrimmage. The way he combines raw power with explosiveness and a relentless motor has made him one of the most talked-about players ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Combine: A Historic Day for Shemar Stewart

On Thursday at the Combine, Shemar Stewart showcased just how unique he truly is. His performance in the physical testing portion of the Combine was one for the history books, and scouts quickly began to take note of his immense talent. Let’s break down his performance and highlight the specific areas in which he impressed.

1. 40-Yard Dash: Blazing Speed for a Defensive Lineman

One of the most anticipated drills of the Combine is the 40-yard dash, and for a defensive lineman, the ability to cover ground quickly is crucial, whether it’s chasing down a ball carrier or closing in on the quarterback. At 320 pounds, few players are expected to run fast times in the 40-yard dash. However, Shemar Stewart defied expectations, running the 40-yard dash in an incredible 4.79 seconds.

This time is remarkable considering the fact that many defensive linemen at the Combine clock in at slower times due to their size. For a player of Stewart’s size to run a time like that is a testament to his explosive speed and athleticism. His time in the 40-yard dash ranks among the fastest ever recorded by a player of his stature, and it immediately raised eyebrows around the league.

Stewart’s ability to explode out of his stance and reach top speed quickly is a key indicator of how much of a difference-maker he can be at the next level. His quickness allows him to close gaps in a hurry, making him a major asset on passing downs when rushing the quarterback.

2. Vertical Jump: Explosiveness in the Air

Another key drill at the NFL Combine is the vertical jump, which measures a player’s ability to explode off the ground and reach new heights. For defensive linemen, a strong vertical jump is important for disrupting passing lanes, contesting passes, and getting the upper hand when battling against offensive linemen.

Shemar Stewart impressed with a vertical jump of 35.5 inches, which is a spectacular result for someone of his size. The ability to get that high off the ground is a testament to his lower body strength and explosiveness. It’s clear that Stewart has the type of explosiveness that could translate into major pass-rushing potential at the NFL level.

This vertical jump is not only a physical feat but also demonstrates his natural athleticism. His ability to jump high and use his upper body strength to impact the line of scrimmage shows just how much of a difference-maker he can be when playing against both the run and the pass.

3. Broad Jump: Power in the Lower Body

The broad jump is another measure of a player’s lower body explosiveness, specifically their power and ability to jump forward, which is particularly important for generating push off the line of scrimmage. The broad jump is an important drill for defensive linemen to display their ability to explode out of their stance, gain separation from blockers, and generate force when coming off the edge.

Shemar Stewart’s broad jump of 10 feet, 3 inches was an impressive result, particularly for someone his size. This result shows that Stewart is capable of generating impressive force and momentum off the snap, making him a true threat to offensive linemen trying to block him. His jump is a direct reflection of his power and athleticism, and it gives NFL scouts even more confidence in his ability to be a dynamic force on the field.

4. 3-Cone Drill: Agility and Change of Direction

The 3-cone drill is one of the more challenging drills for defensive linemen because it tests a player’s ability to change direction quickly and maintain balance while still keeping up their speed. This drill is especially crucial for a player like Stewart, who needs to show that he can get around blockers and adjust to the quarterback’s movements in the pocket.

Shemar Stewart showed excellent fluidity and agility in the 3-cone drill, completing it in an impressive 7.12 seconds. His ability to navigate tight corners, pivot, and accelerate was on full display. This result is critical for his evaluation, as it demonstrates that Stewart has the ability to disrupt plays by not only pushing the pocket but also by changing direction quickly to get to the quarterback.

5. Bench Press: Upper Body Strength

Defensive linemen are often judged by their ability to shed blocks and disengage from offensive linemen, and that requires significant upper body strength. The bench press is one of the key drills to measure a player’s upper body power. Shemar Stewart showcased his incredible strength, completing 28 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, an excellent result for a player of his size.

This showing on the bench press demonstrates that Stewart has the strength to engage blockers, disengage quickly, and make his presence known in the trenches. His performance in the bench press further solidified his physical credentials, confirming that he has the necessary strength to compete at the highest level in the NFL.

Why Shemar Stewart’s Performance is So Important

Shemar Stewart’s standout performance at the Combine on Thursday was significant for several reasons. First and foremost, his athleticism and explosiveness put him in an elite class of defensive linemen. His combination of size, speed, and strength makes him one of the most well-rounded prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, and his performance at the Combine only confirmed what many scouts had already seen on tape.

Second, Stewart’s impressive results across a variety of drills—40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, 3-cone drill, and bench press—show that he is a well-rounded player who possesses the complete physical package. Many defensive linemen have one or two traits that stand out, but Stewart has proven he has everything needed to succeed at the next level. His ability to move quickly, generate power, and show flexibility makes him a very intriguing prospect.

Finally, Stewart’s performance has increased his draft stock significantly. Before the Combine, there was already talk of him being a first-round pick, but Thursday’s performance has solidified that belief, and many now consider him to be one of the top defensive line prospects available in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Shemar Stewart?

With his remarkable performance at the Combine, Shemar Stewart is now positioned as one of the top defensive line prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. As we move closer to draft day, his stock will continue to rise, and many NFL teams will be evaluating where they can slot him into their defensive schemes. Whether he ends up as a 3-4 defensive end or a 4-3 defensive tackle, Stewart’s versatility and explosive athleticism make him a highly valuable asset.

Shemar Stewart has proven that he has the physical traits to be an impactful player in the NFL. With a strong showing at the Combine, he’s set himself up for success in the draft process and, ultimately, in his professional career. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see where he lands and how his unique skill set translates to the highest level of competition.