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Historic NFL Combine performance draws Myles Garrett comparison, No. 1 pick consideration for rising SEC star

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Feb 27, 2025 6:43 PM ET

Shemar Stewart had himself a historic night on Thursday at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. The multi-day event gives every 2025 NFL Draft prospect the chance to shine, and the former Texas A&M star has vaulted his way into consideration to be selected as high as No. 1 overall.

At least, that's the case if the NFL favors freak athleticism as it routinely has. It's not unprecedented for the Combine to upend what we thought we knew about how the top picks would shake out. The 2022 NFL Draft saw Travon Walker leapfrog Aidan Hutchinson after the former Bulldog dominated the event.

Now, with Abdul Carter sidelined, Stewart has stolen the headlines. He became the third edge defender in more than 25 years to run a sub-4.7 40-yard dash, leap at least 40 inches, and have a broad jump of at least 117 inches. The other two were No. 1 picks Myles Garrett and Mario Williams.

Here's more context in terms of just how rare Stewart's showing was.

Shemar Stewart is a DE prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.99 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 3 out of 1802 DE from 1987 to 2025.

Splits projected, Times unofficial.https://t.co/r9HXsXwSH4 pic.twitter.com/V2jH2WF8EJ
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) February 27, 2025

The concern for Stewart isn't his athleticism. With only 4.5 career sacks and relatively mediocre pressure stats over his three-year stint in college, Stewart is someone who hasn't maximized his movement ability on the field.

His next coaching staff will need to build Stewart's plan of attack, hand placement, and anticipation skills. He played so well at the 2025 Senior Bowl that momentum was already there for Stewart to be a top 10 pick, but this Combine performance will again redefine his ceiling.

Going as high as No. 1 might not happen since Carter has elite tape, production, and athleticism, even if the latter wasn't verified at the Combine. But the race for the No. 2 non-quarterback selected is in full force, and Stewart might've just jumped over Travis Hunter and Mason Graham.

New England now appears to be in the mix for Stewart, and if they're not considering him, they're missing a huge part of the puzzle. Of all NFL positions, pass-rushers are the most projectable based on their Combine performances, so this is an unforgettable moment for Stewart.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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