Top five NFL Combine bench press performances by Ohio State players
The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine starts this week in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it always provides a unique and stress-inducing showcase for future NFL players. The combine is typically the most important part of the pre-draft process for many NFL prospects and serves as the most important job interview these young men may have in their lives.
Any seasoned NFL scout will tell you that the combine is not the end all be all and is just a part of the process, but fans love the idea of the underwear Olympics, and seeing some of these freak athletes accomplish insane feats in the bench press, shuttle run, 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump. The following are the top five bench press performances by former Ohio State football players. We are only tracking numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine and not from pro days and only numbers since the NFL Scouting Combing moved to Indianapolis in 1987.
Four Way Tie - 33 reps
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Davon Hamilton (53) sacks Michigan Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson (2) during the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. [Adam Cairns/Dispatch]
In fifth place, we have a nice four-way tie between DaVon Hamilton in 2020, Reid Fragel in 2013, Alex Boone in 2009, and Marcus Green in 2006. Hamilton was a monster in 2019 for the Buckeyes and was drafted in the third round to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fragel was a solid player at Ohio State and was a seventh-round selection for the Cincinnati Bengals. Alex Boone was All-Big Ten in 2007 and 2008 and failed to get drafted, but had a long NFL career that started with the San Francisco 49ers. Marcus Green was a solid performer for Ohio State, but went undrafted and spent time with the New York Giants.
While I was driving back from Indianapolis, Ohio State's DaVon Hamilton dominated the bench press, putting up 33 repetitions of 225 pounds, the most of any defensive lineman at this year's NFL Scouting Combine. https://t.co/wrAA8a8xfG
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) February 28, 2020
Kirk Barton- 34 reps
Ohio State tackle Kirk Barton (74) celebrates with wide receiver Brian Robiskie (80) after Robiskie scored a touchdown during a college football game against Michigan State Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, in Columbus, Ohio. Barton frequently gets in trouble by saying or doing the wrong thing. The history major makes his coach cringe almost every time he opens his mouth, yet he is one of the pistons that keeps Ohio State moving downfield. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)
Kirk Barton blew up the bench press with 34 reps in 2008. He earned All-American and All-Big Ten honors in 2007 before being selected by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round.
Corey Linsley - 36 reps
Nov 17, 2012; Madison, WI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Corey Linsley (71) blocks during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 21-14 in overtime. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Corey Linsley might be a better NFL player than he was at Ohio State. He destroyed the bench press in 2014 with 36 reps and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round. Linsley has been named All-Rookie, Pro Bowl, and All-Pro throughout his pro career.
Jack Mewhort does 28 reps on the bench. Corey Linsley puts up 36 #BuckeyesInIndy
— Alex Gleitman (@alexgleitman) February 21, 2014
Vernon Gholston - 37 reps
Jan 7, 2008, New Orleans, LA, USA: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Vernon Gholston (50) left and linebacker James Laurinaitis (33) react in the LSU Tigers 38-24 BCS National Championship victory against the Buckeyes in the Louisiana Superdome. Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
We all remember how much of a monster Vernon Gholston was both physically and on the field for Ohio State. He proved his insane strength by benching 37 reps in 2008. Gholston was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2007 and was All-Big Ten twice. The freak was drafted sixth overall to the New York Jets.
Best Jets Combine stats since 2000:
40-yard dash = WR Santana Moss – 4.31 seconds (2001)
Bench Reps (225lbs) = DE Vernon Gholston – 37 reps (2008)
Vertical = FS Kerry Rhoades – 42 inches (2005)
Broad Jump = WR Stephen Hill – 133 inches (2012) pic.twitter.com/h096GajNtp
— UK & Ireland Jets HQ (@UKNYJets) March 1, 2019
Mike Kudla - 45 reps
Ohio State defensemen Nate Salley, (21), left, Mike Kudla (57), A.J. Hawk (47), and David Patterson (97) take down San Diego State running back Brandon Bornes Saturday, Sept. 17, 2005, at the Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The sixth-ranked Buckeyes play at No. 16 Penn State on Saturday night, introducing one of the top linebacking corps in the nation to a place that has produced some of the best to ever play the position. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
The late Mike Kudla put up one of the best bench press performances in NFL Scouting Combine history with 45 reps in 2006. He earned All-Big Ten honors in 2005, and despite not being drafted earned a shot with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
BTW, 45 reps of 225 lbs in bench press at NFL Combine Fri by Arkansas G Mitch Petrus tied record last set by #OhioState's Mike Kudla in 06
— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) February 27, 2010
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