This week in Indianapolis, 12 Alabama football players will participate in the NFL scouting combine, one of the highest totals from any college program, second only to Texas A&M’s 13 attendees. This group includes a mix of offensive and defensive talent, such as quarterback Ty Simpson, tackle Kadyn Proctor, and wide receiver Germie Bernard, all aiming to impress scouts and improve their draft stock over the course of the event from Thursday through Sunday.
Assessing Speed Among Alabama Prospects
While speed isn’t everything in football, the 40-yard dash remains one of the most anticipated drills. Not every Alabama player will participate in this event, but watching who clocks the fastest time among the 12 participants will be intriguing. Wide receivers Germie Bernard, cornerback Domani Jackson, and running back Jam Miller appear to be prime candidates for top sprint times due to their positions and athletic profiles. However, questions remain about possible surprises, particularly from tackle Kadyn “Krispy” Proctor, who has demonstrated notable agility for his size.
Strength and Endurance: Who Excels in the Bench Press?
Preseason insights from Alabama’s strength coach Dave Ballou indicated that four players might be capable of bench pressing over 500 pounds, including Proctor, center Parker Brailsford, and guard Jaeden Roberts. At the combine, participants attempt to complete as many reps as possible of 225 pounds on the bench press, making this drill a key measure of upper-body strength endurance. Ballou has emphasized that while these numbers are impressive, real football value depends on how strength translates on the field.
If it doesn’t show up on the football field on a play-by-play basis, it doesn’t matter,
Ballou said.
This shit doesn’t matter. That’s the main thing we drive to them. That’s why you don’t see us putting video out on Twitter or Instagram for people, that’s why we don’t do that. What ultimately matters on the practice field and judgement day, which is gameday on Saturdays. That’s what matters.
– Dave Ballou, Alabama Strength Coach
Despite this perspective, seeing the raw strength of Alabama’s prospects remains a point of interest for scouts and fans alike.
Ty Simpson’s Opportunity to Secure a First-Round QB Spot
Quarterback Ty Simpson will showcase his throwing ability at the combine, aiming to solidify his position as a potential first-round pick. While he is generally regarded as the No. 2 quarterback prospect behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza—who is widely expected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders—Simpson seeks to demonstrate he is the top alternative for teams in need of a quarterback. However, whether multiple QBs will be chosen in the first round is uncertain, making this week’s workouts and throwing sessions critical for Simpson’s draft outlook.
A strong performance in Indianapolis could eliminate any doubts about Simpson’s readiness and elevate his status among NFL teams searching for quarterback talent.
The Alabama NFL scouting combine participants, particularly these three highlighted players, will be closely monitored as they compete against peers from across the country, shaping their futures in professional football while reinforcing Alabama’s reputation for producing NFL-ready athletes.
