Nfl Combine Day 1: Sonny Styles electrifies as linebackers, defensive linemen post eye‑popping numbers

The 2026 nfl combine opened its on‑field portion Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and linebackers and defensive linemen used the first night of workouts to turn heads with fast 40‑yard dashes, high verticals and long broad jumps that could shift draft plans.

Nfl Combine: Linebackers and defensive linemen open the workouts

Thursday’s session put defensive linemen and linebackers at center stage, and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and edge rusher Arvell Reese tied for the fastest 40‑yard dash of the night at 4. 46 seconds. Styles also finished near the top of the field in both the vertical jump and the broad jump, and scouts noted his combination of size and explosiveness during drills on Thursday.

Sonny Styles’ measurable burst and draft implications

Sonny Styles entered the week with strong draft buzz and a pedigree — he is the son of former NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles Sr. — and his on‑field session may have reinforced that standing. He is listed at 6‑foot‑5 and 244 pounds with 32 7/8‑inch arms, and his workout included a historic combination: a sub‑4. 5‑second 40‑yard dash paired with a 40‑inch‑plus vertical and an 11‑foot‑plus broad jump at a listed weight north of 230 pounds. He came into the combine as a probable top‑12 pick, and Thursday’s performance might have solidified a top‑10, perhaps top‑five, projection.

Interior linemen show length and explosiveness

Several defensive tackles impressed with rare measurables for their size. Capehart checked in at 6‑foot‑5 and 313 pounds with 10 1/4‑inch hands and 33 7/8‑inch arms, ran a 4. 85‑second 40 and posted a 33 1/2‑inch vertical; evaluators noted his smooth movement around obstacles and his use of length to knock away dummies in drills. Capehart’s college production was limited—4. 5 tackles for loss over his last 23 games—so Thursday’s numbers aimed to show he can develop into a 3‑technique penetrator.

Oklahoma’s Gracen Halton, listed at 293 pounds with 31 1/8‑inch arms, ran a 4. 82‑second 40 and led all defensive tackles with a 36 1/2‑inch vertical. Halton’s quick feet and the physicality he showed in tackling dummies were singled out; in a draft class with many sub‑300‑pound interior options, Halton was described as having the best combination of tape and workout results among mid‑round interior prospects.

Edges and linebackers who rose

Edge defenders and 'backers also turned in notable performances. UCF edge Malachi Lawrence posted a 4. 52‑second 40, a 10‑foot‑10 broad jump and a 40‑inch vertical at 253 pounds, and his arm length was measured at 33 5/8 inches; Lawrence finished his college career with 20 sacks across four seasons. Elarms‑Orr ran a 4. 47‑second 40 at 6‑foot‑2 and 234 pounds and produced a 40‑inch vertical while earning first‑team All‑Big 12 honors in college; evaluators noted his run‑stopping film and newfound quickness in coverage drills that could translate to Sam linebacker duties.

Texas Tech’s David Bailey and Florida’s Caleb Banks were also listed among Thursday standouts for their positional workouts.

Safeties, drills Friday and broadcast details

Workouts continued into Friday with tight ends and defensive backs on the schedule; Oklahoma safety Robert Spears‑Jennings posted a 4. 32‑second 40 on Friday. An unofficial 4. 41‑second 40 for Dalton Johnson was noted as a time that would have ranked third best at last year’s combine. Among safeties, Arizona’s Genesis Smith led with a 42. 5‑inch vertical leap, while South Carolina’s Jalon Kilgore, Nebraska’s DeShon Singleton and Arizona’s Treydan Stukes tied for the position’s best broad jump at 10 feet, 10 inches.

The full combine runs from Feb. 23 through March 2, with on‑field workouts scheduled Feb. 26 through March 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Live coverage is available on NFL Network and NFL+, with broadcasts beginning at 3 p. m. ET on Friday and 1 p. m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. The NFL draft is scheduled for April 23‑25 in Pittsburgh, and several players who chose not to perform or who showed flaws in Indianapolis may aim to rebuild stock at pro days before Day 1 and Day 2 selections are finalized.

Coverage will continue with updates on standout performances, interviews and any shifts in prospect evaluations as the week’s scheduled on‑field workouts proceed through Sunday.