INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 05: Peter Skoronski of Northwestern participates in the vertical jump during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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The NFL offseason is in full swing, and that means it’s time to get on the road to the 2026 NFL Draft. The start of that road? Why, it’s the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, of course.
The annual event returns to Indianapolis for the 39th year in a row as all 32 teams get a controlled look at players who hope to be playing on Sundays in the fall. For four straight days, players from dozens of schools will take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, all looking to leave the best impression they can on coaches and scouts in attendance.
But just because you won’t be in attendance, that doesn’t mean you can’t partake in all the combine has to offer. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Scouting Combine before things get started on Thursday.
Where Is The NFL Scouting Combine?
The NFL Scouting Combine is taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. It’s the 39th year in a row that the combine will emanate from Indianapolis after it was first hosted in 1987. And, if you like the location, you’ll be happy to know that an extension was recently signed to keep it there through at least 2028.
When is the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine?
The combine will be held from Thursday, February 26, through Sunday, March 1. Over the four days, different position groups will take part in on-field drills. The schedule for on-field work is as follows:
- Thursday, Feb. 26: 3-8 p.m. EST – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers
- Friday, Feb. 27: 3-8 p.m. EST – Defensive Backs, Tight Ends
- Saturday, February 28: 1-8 p.m. EST – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs
- Sunday, March 1: 1-5 p.m. EST- Offensive Linemen
How To Watch 2026 NFL Scouting Combine?
Like years past, fans will be able to watch all of the on-field drills at the combine. The combine will air on NFL Network on traditional television providers as well as stream on NFL+.
What Are The Drills At The Combine?
Each year, hundreds of players take the field to participate in specifically designed drills aimed at testing a player’s agility, speed, and football talent. It’s not all about on-field abilities, though. Teams will be testing and meeting with players to find out about their personalities, traits, football knowledge, and so much more.
The drills and tests this year include:
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 3: A detail view of signage during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images)
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- 40-yard dash
- Bench press
- Vertical jump
- Broad jump
- 20-yard shuttle
- 60-yard shuttle
- 3-cone drill
- Position-based drills
- Off-field testing and interviews
What Players Are At This Year’s Combine?
Over 300 players were invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. While not every player invited will take part in on-field drills, most will meet with teams that might be interested in taking them come April’s draft.
You can check out some of the top players invited at each position below. The full list of invited players is also available via the NFL.
Quarterback:
- Carson Beck – Miami
- Fernando Mendoza – Indiana
- Cole Payton – North Dakota State
- Haynes King – Georgia Tech
Running Back
- Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame
- Desmond Reid – Pittsburgh
- Eli Heidenreich – Navy
- CJ Donaldson – Ohio State
- Rahsul Faison – South Carolina
Wide Reciever
- Denzel Boston – Washington
- KC Concepcion – Texas A&M
- Malachi Fields – Notre Dame
- Carnell Tate – Ohio State
- Makai Lemon – USC
Tight Ends
- Josh Cuevas – Alabama
- Marlin Klein – Michigan
- Eli Raidon – Notre Dame
- Michael Trigg – Baylor
Offensive Linemen
- Francis Maugoa – Miami
- Spencer Fano – Utah
- Monroe Freeling – Georgia
- Olaivavega Ioane – Penn State
Defensive Linemen
- Zion Young – Missouri
- Rueben Bain Jr – Miami
- David Bailey – Texas Tech
- Cashius Howell – Texas A&M
- Peter Woods – Clemson
Linebackers
- CJ Allen – Georgia
- Sonny Styles – Ohio State
- Arvell Reese – Ohio State
- Red Murdock – Buffalo
Defensive Backs
- Caleb Downs – Ohio State
- Jermod McCoy – Tennessee
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren – Toledo
- Brandon Cisse – South Carolina
Specialists
- Trey Smack – Florida
- Brett Thorson – Georgia
- Tommy Doman Jr. – Florida
- Jack Stonehouse – Syracuse
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikestraw/2026/02/23/2026-nfl-combine-schedule-workout-times-position-groups–watch-guide/
