The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is underway at Lucas Oil Stadium, where more than 300 of the nation's top college football prospects are showcasing their athleticism, measurements and interview skills for NFL teams in advance of the April 23-25 draft in Pittsburgh.

The 2020 NFL entry draft was the most watched ever, with more than 55 million North American viewers tuning in during the 'virtual' three-day event
NFL

The event, running from Thursday, Feb. 26, through Sunday, March 1, features on-field workouts grouped by position, medical evaluations, team interviews and bench press sessions. It serves as a critical evaluation period for general managers, coaches and scouts assessing talent for the upcoming draft class.

The full workout schedule, with all times Eastern, is as follows:

- Thursday, Feb. 26 (3-8 p.m.): Defensive linemen, linebackers and placekickers.
- Friday, Feb. 27 (3-8 p.m.): Defensive backs and tight ends.
- Saturday, Feb. 28 (1-8 p.m.): Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs.
- Sunday, March 1 (1-5 p.m.): Offensive linemen.

Coverage is available on NFL Network, with additional programming on ESPN and ESPN2, including pre- and post-drill analysis. Fans can register for in-person access via nfl.com/onepass, with gates opening early each day for the Combine Experience and Inside Look areas.

The combine has already generated buzz with early arrivals and media sessions featuring head coaches and general managers starting earlier in the week. While on-field drills began Thursday, much of the focus remains on how prospects perform in key tests like the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill and bench press, alongside their official measurements and positional workouts.

This year's class features a mix of high-upside athletes, with several consensus top prospects expected to solidify or elevate their draft stock. Experts like Daniel Jeremiah, Mel Kiper Jr. and Mike Renner have released updated big boards in recent days, highlighting a quarterback at the top and strong depth at edge rusher, linebacker and offensive line.

Here are the top 10 prospects based on the latest consensus rankings from sources including NFL Network's Jeremiah (updated Feb. 23), ESPN's Kiper, CBS Sports' Renner and others:

1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana — The junior signal-caller tops most big boards, praised for his arm talent, poise and production in a breakout 2025 season. Jeremiah and Renner have him No. 1 overall, with Kiper calling him a "lock" for the top spot. Teams view him as a potential franchise quarterback.

2. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL) — A dominant pass rusher with explosive traits, Bain ranks No. 2 on Renner's board and high across others. His combination of size (6-3, 275 pounds), speed and bend makes him a nightmare for offensive tackles.

3. Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State — Versatile and instinctive, Reese appears in multiple top-5 lists, including Jeremiah's earlier rankings. Ohio State's defense has produced several high picks, and Reese's athletic profile stands out.

4. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama — One of the premier offensive tackles in the class, Proctor's massive frame and technical prowess make him a Day 1 starter candidate at left tackle.

5. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech — Explosive off the edge with strong production, Bailey features prominently in top-10 discussions and could rise further with a strong combine showing.

6. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State — A do-it-all defensive back with elite instincts, range and tackling ability. Downs is a frequent top-10 name for his football IQ and playmaking.

7. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame — Among the top running backs, Love's combination of speed, vision and receiving skills has scouts excited in a class with solid RB depth.

8. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon — A rising star at tight end, Sadiq is drawing Freaks List mentions for his athletic testing potential. Experts predict a sub-4.6 40 and elite jumps could vault him higher.

9. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State — Another Buckeye standout, Styles brings size, speed and coverage skills to the linebacker position, making him a versatile fit in modern defenses.

10. Makai Lemon, WR, USC — A polished route-runner with high grades from PFF as one of the top receivers in college football last season, Lemon could surge with explosive testing.

Other notable prospects to watch include Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq (predicted to dominate workouts), Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, Kentucky WR Kendrick Law and Penn State DT Zane Durant, all highlighted for their athletic upside on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List revisits.

The combine's importance cannot be overstated, as athletic testing often reshapes draft boards. Past examples include explosive 40 times boosting stock (like Xavier Worthy's 4.21 in 2024) or strong positional drills confirming tape evaluations.

With the draft less than two months away, performances this week could shift projections significantly. Teams are particularly focused on quarterbacks like Mendoza, edge rushers and offensive linemen in a class viewed as deep in trenches talent but lighter at some skill positions compared to recent years.

As drills unfold, the spotlight will remain on how these top prospects translate their college production to NFL-level measurables and interviews. The 2026 class promises intrigue, with early indications pointing to a quarterback-needy team potentially landing a cornerstone in Mendoza or a defense bolstered by elite edge talent like Bain.