INDIANAPOLIS — Friday marked the second day of field testing at the 2025 NFL Combine, with defensive backs and tight ends taking the field. While some prospects impressed, others left much to be desired. Here is the Talk of Troy’s scouting team’s recap of day two of the Combine.
MVP: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina. 6-foot-3, 227 lbs.
Emmanwori came into Friday highly touted as one of the better safeties in this year’s draft class, but the South Carolina product truly wowed in Indianapolis. Emmanwori’s performance was headlined by a 4.38 second 40-yard dash, the best in combine history for a player that weighs more than 220 pounds. The defensive back continued to impress with a 43-inch vertical leap and an 11-6 broad jump. An elite athlete, Emmanwori was a true playmaker on the Gamecocks’ defense and possesses exceptional ball skills and a high football IQ. Already a first-rounder in some mock drafts, Emmanwori surely guaranteed hearing his name being called on day one of the NFL draft.
Honorable Mentions
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky. 6-foot-1, 186 lbs.
Hairston started the day with a blazing 4.30 second 40-yard dash, but dropped jaws on his second attempt, clocking in at 4.28 seconds, the fastest of the day. Hairston has been overshadowed by other elite cornerback prospects throughout the pre-draft process, but surely gained traction after Friday. A ball hawk on Kentucky’s defense, Hairston totaled three pick-sixes in his collegiate career. He shows great instincts, route recognition and ball skills, and just may sneak into the first round.
Caleb Ransaw, DB, Tulane. 6-foot, 196 lbs.
Ransaw tested well in his measurable drills, registering a 4.33 second 40-yard dash and 40-inch vertical, showing he has great long speed and leaping ability. Ransaw showed fluidity in his hips through field drills, not wasting a step and keeping steady balance throughout. An overall mechanical savant, Ransaw plays with physicality and aggressiveness. A stout tackler and overall quick player, the relatively unknown nickel made his name known on Friday.
Most Improved: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon. 6-foot-5, 255 lbs.
Ferguson ran a 4.63 second 40-yard dash, the fastest among tight ends by a wide margin, showing he has great long speed and athleticism for the position. Ferguson showed smooth, technical route running in on-field drills, hauling in footballs with soft hands. Although not the biggest tight end on the field Friday, Ferguson performed exceptionally well in blocking drills, displaying excellent leverage and power. His body control, reliability and blocking technique NFL should have teams enticed. Many tight ends fell short of expectations during their showcase, and Ferguson may have just jumped them on many teams’’ draft boards.
Biggest Disappointment: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green. 6-foot-3, 241 lbs.
Fannin is an intriguing prospect, but failed to show out during Friday’s drills. The FBS receiving yard leader did not show impressive speed, running a 4.71 40-yard dash. Fannin’s struggles continued throughout field drills, showing adequate overall mechanics, giving scouts nothing to write home about. Fannin’s big frame would suggest good blocking ability, but he struggled on the sled drills, failing to maintain proper leverage and showing uninspiring leg drive. In fact, Fannin turned the entire blocking sled around.
While his gauntlet drill went well, Fannin was a highly touted player coming into Friday, and a strong athletic performance would have solidified him as an elite tight end prospect. While still an intriguing, talented player, Fannin’s stock likely dropped after a disappointing showing.
This piece was published in collaboration with The Talk of Troy, a student-led, multi-platform sports and culture program based in Los Angeles that prides itself on leading difficult conversations at the intersection of sports and culture. InfanityTV is the exclusive publisher of TOT’s on-site coverage of the 2025 NFL Combine. Find more of TOT’s content @TheTalkOfTroy on Instagram.
