2025 NFL combine winners, losers: Matthew Golden, Bhayshul Tuten shine on Saturday

Posted by author March 2, 2025 NFL

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The most highly-anticipated NFL combine on-field workouts took place Saturday Lucas Oil Stadium when running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks took the field to showcase their skills.

Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty and Tetairoa McMillan didn’t work out in Indianapolis but there were other notable QBs, RBs and WRs who participated in Saturday’s combine drills.

There was plenty of attention on the field as NFL teams attempt to make assessments on some of the top skill position prospects in the 2025 NFL draft. Which players helped or their hurt draft stock?

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ winners and losers from Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Combine:

NFL combine winners and losers

Winner: Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten

Tuten had an impressive performance at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Virginia Tech product stood out amongst the running back group: He ran a 4.32 40-yard dash and leaped 40.50 inches in the vertical jump, both of which were best among running backs this year.

Tuten’s 40-yard dash time is the fourth fastest 40 by a running back since 2003.

Winner: North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton

Hampton might’ve solidified himself as a first-round pick. With Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty not participating, Hampton, at 221 lbs., showed his versatility.

The downhill runner ran a 4.46 40-yard dash. His production score was an 84, fourth among qualifying running backs, per Next Gen Stats.

Winner: Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden

Golden impressed onlookers when he ran a sizzling 4.29 in the 40-yard dash. He had the fastest 40 time among wide receivers at the combine.

The Texans product produced a total score of 82, the sixth best among wide receivers at the combine, per Next Gen Stats.

Winner: Missouri quarterback Brady Cook

Cook was cooking in the passing drills. The 6-2, 214-lb. QB was accurate during intermediate and deep passing drills. The Missouri product outperformed Jaxson Dart and Will Howard, who are both projected to be drafted ahead of him.

Loser: Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo

The bulldozing running back skipped most of the drills at the NFL combine. His most notable absence was in the 40-yard dash. NFL Network’s Stacy Dales reported on the broadcast that Skattebo is dealing with a left hamstring injury that is considered to be a “low-grade” issue.

Skattebo is considered a mid-round pick in many mock drafts, but scouts have concerns about his speed.

Loser: Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond

Bond raised eyebrows when he told reporters he planned to break the NFL combine 40-yard dash record. The wideout claimed that he planned to run a 4.20 or a 4.1.

Unfortunately for the wide receiver, he didn’t back up his big talk.

Bond’s fastest time of the day was 4.39, and he posted the mark on his second 40 attempt. Bond’s bold prediction made his 4.39 somewhat underwhelming. The time was well behind former Texans WR and current Chiefs wideout Xavier Worthy’s combine all-time record of 4.21 seconds.

A 4.39 is a great time for a wide receiver, but Bond’s confident proclamation came back to bite him. His time won’t hurt his draft stock but Golden, his Texas teammate, had a better overall performance.

Loser: Hand measurements

Someone’s got some explaining to do.

Jalen Milroe’s hands were measured at 8 3/4 inches at the Senior Bowl just a few weeks ago. At the NFL combine, Milroe’s hands measured in at 9 3/8 inches, half an inch bigger than they were in Mobile, Alabama.

Barring an epic hand growth spurt, somebody doesn’t know how to accurately measure hands in Mobile or Indianapolis. Milroe will definitely prefer the latter of the two measurements.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.