Every year, college football’s best athletes gather inside Indianapolis’ famed Lucas Oil Stadium for the NFL Scouting Combine. This year, a program-best 12 Oregon Ducks ran drills in the hopes of impressing the NFL personnel in attendance. Now, with the combine concluded, let’s go over some of the Ducks who either raised or lowered their draft stock.
Winner: TE Terrance Ferguson
Out of all the Ducks in attendance, Ferguson had probably the best day of workouts. He recorded a 4.63-second 40-yard dash and a 39” vertical jump, both of which led all tight ends. Ferguson also recorded a 1.55-second 10-yard split, which tied for first among tight ends with Notre Dame’s Mitchell Evans, and a 10’2 broad jump, which was good enough for third-best. This 2025 tight end class is considered to be a particularly good one, which makes Ferguson’s inclusion in this year’s NFL All-Combine Team even more impressive.
Ferguson’s solid hands and potent athleticism made him a reliable weapon for the Ducks, and he seems poised to make a similar impact at the highest level. He’s more of a receiver than a blocker, which could hurt his stock to some extent, but I’d be surprised if he was still on the board when Round 4 starts on April 28.
Loser: WR Tez Johnson
Johnson weighed in at only 154 pounds, nine pounds lighter than the next-smallest player and eleven pounds lighter than the 165 pounds at which Oregon listed him. To compound the problem, Johnson ran a middling 4.51-second 40-yard dash, good enough for only the 27th-fastest time among wide receivers. To his credit, Johnson finished the three-cone drill in a combine-best 6.65 seconds and recorded the highest top speed of any wideout (21.77 mph) during route drills. He also finished fourth-best in both the broad jump (10’11 inches) and 20-yard shuttle (4.15 seconds).
The latter numbers reflect the agility and play speed which made Johnson such a special player during his two years with the Ducks. Unfortunately for Johnson, last year’s NFL Draft saw 40-yard dash record-holder Xavier Worthy (4.21 seconds) go undrafted until Pick No. 28, likely as a result of his 165-pound frame. Although Johnson performed exceptionally in some drills, the weight and (albeit questionable) speed concerns which arose at this year’s combine will likely lower his draft stock to some extent. His eventual draft position will likely depend on teams’ willingness to trust game film (and outstanding Senior Bowl tape) over any combine concerns. I wouldn’t expect Johnson to last past the fifth round, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him drafted before then.
Winner: DT Derrick Harmon
Harmon’s size and explosiveness were on display along the defensive interior all season, and he put on an encore performance in Indianapolis. Despite possessing an immense 6’4, 313-pound frame, Harmon ran the 40-yard dash in a wildly fast 4.95 seconds. The junior transfer from Michigan State drew comparisons to six-time All-Pro Chris Jones and was even named Bleacher Report’s “biggest winner from the defensive tackles”. Harmon entered Indianapolis as a prospective first-round pick, and his combine performance further strengthened his chances of being a Day One selection.
Loser: RB Jordan James
Running back is considered by many to be this year’s strongest positional group. Unfortunately for James, his measurables didn’t exactly impress. His 40-yard dash time of 4.55 seconds ranked 18th out of 24 participants, and his 10-yard split of 1.63 seconds ranked 23rd. Even worse, James’ broad jump of 9’9 tied with three others for the shortest distance among running backs. However, James’ relatively poor combine showing doesn’t change his past as a talented workhorse back. James will likely be selected in the latter half of this year’s draft, but he’ll provide excellent rotational value wherever he ends up, and could one day elevate into a starting role like former Duck Bucky Irving did in Tampa Bay.
Winner: OT Josh Conerly Jr.
Conerly Jr. was the nation’s top high school offensive line prospect in 2022, and didn’t disappoint across three seasons with the Ducks. Now, following an excellent combine showing, the 2024 First-Team All-American tackle seems to have all but secured his future as a first-round draft pick. Conerly Jr. ran a very impressive 5.05-second 40-yard dash and led all linemen with a 1.71-second 10-yard split. He also used that athleticism to excel in on-field drills. As a result, he was named a member of this year’s NFL’s All-Combine Team. And oh yeah, he stands 6’5 and weighs 311 pounds, with room to bulk without sacrificing athleticism. What else is there to say?
Loser: QB Dillon Gabriel
Gabriel, who played for three schools across six seasons, will enter this year’s NFL Draft as one of the most experienced quarterbacks in college football history. Unfortunately for him, that experience didn’t pay off in Indianapolis. Gabriel only participated in throwing drills, where he struggled to channel the precise passing he displayed at Oregon. “He had the poorest showing when it comes to these touch timing throws the NFL scouts want to see you make,” ESPN’s Matt Miller said. Miller also noted that Gabriel’s 5’9, 200-pound frame was “undersized for the NFL standard.” Gabriel will likely enter the NFL as a backup, but he’s got the experience and instincts required to jump into a starting role if an opportunity arises.
A great combine performance often marks a player’s last step on the road to the NFL Draft. Thankfully, those who struggled in Indianapolis will have another opportunity to display their skills at Oregon’s Pro Day on March 18th. After that, Ducks players and fans alike will be counting down the days until April 26, when the 2025 NFL Draft officially kicks off in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
