NFL Combine 2024: Top 10 Bench Press Reps in Combine History

The bench press is one of the most iconic tests at the NFL Combine. Prospects push 225 pounds (102 kg) for as many reps as possible, testing their upper-body strength and endurance. While the drill doesn’t always translate directly to on-field success, it does highlight raw power, which can be valuable in the trenches.

Here are the 10 highest bench press reps in NFL Combine history and how those players fared in their careers.

Bench Press Record at NFL Combine – Top 10

1. Justin Ernest, DT, Eastern Kentucky – 51 reps (1999)

NFL Combine Record Holder

Ernest put up an absurd 51 reps—a record that still stands today. But his Combine dominance didn’t lead to an NFL career. Despite his strength, he went undrafted and never played in an NFL game.

Draft Position: Undrafted in 1999
Career Stats: Never played in the NFL

2. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State – 49 reps (2011)

Paea came close to breaking the record with 49 reps, the most ever for a drafted player. Unlike Ernest, he turned his strength into a solid career as a run-stuffing defensive tackle.

Draft Position: 2nd round, 53rd overall (Bears)
Career Stats:

• Games Played: 83
• Sacks: 14
• Tackles: 129

3. Mike Kudla, DE, Ohio State – 45 reps (2006)

Kudla was a workout warrior at the Combine, but like Ernest, he never played in the NFL.

Draft Position: Undrafted in 2006
Career Stats: Never played in the NFL

4. Leif Larsen, DT, UTEP – 45 reps (2000)

Larsen was a sixth-round pick by the Bills and played just one NFL season before switching careers—he later became a professional boxer in Norway.

Draft Position: 6th round, 194th overall (Bills)
Career Stats:

• Games Played: 16
• Tackles: 9

5. Mitch Petrus, OG, Arkansas – 45 reps (2010)

Petrus had a brief but respectable career as an offensive lineman, winning a Super Bowl ring with the Giants.

Draft Position: 5th round, 147th overall (Giants)
Career Stats:

• Games Played: 27
• Super Bowl Titles: 1 (Super Bowl XLVI)

6. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State – 44 reps (2006)

Bunkley turned his strength into a productive nine-year career, starting at defensive tackle for the Eagles, Broncos, and Saints.

Draft Position: 1st round, 14th overall (Eagles)
Career Stats:

• Games Played: 126
• Sacks: 8
• Tackles: 222

7. Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia – 44 reps (2010)

Despite his Combine strength, Owens never played in an NFL game.

Draft Position: 7th round, 243rd overall (Eagles)
Career Stats: Never played in the NFL

8. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis – 44 reps (2012)

Poe backed up his 44 reps with elite athleticism, running a 4.98-second 40-yard dash at 346 lbs. He had a strong career as a space-eating nose tackle.

Draft Position: 1st round, 11th overall (Chiefs)
Career Stats:

• Games Played: 128
• Sacks: 20.5
• Tackles: 278
• Pro Bowls: 2

9. Netane Muti, OG, Fresno State – 44 reps (2020)

Muti hasn’t locked down a full-time starting job yet but remains in the league as a depth offensive lineman.

Draft Position: 6th round, 181st overall (Broncos)
Career Stats:

• Games Played: 20
• Starts: 4

10. Larry Allen, OG, Sonoma State – 43 reps (1994)

Allen is the only Hall of Famer on this list and arguably the strongest player in NFL history. His bench press feats didn’t stop at the Combine—he later benched 705 lbs (320 kg) in a Cowboys workout.

Draft Position: 2nd round, 46th overall (Cowboys)
Career Stats:

• Games Played: 203
• Pro Bowls: 11
• All-Pro Selections: 6
• Super Bowl Titles: 1 (Super Bowl XXX)
• Hall of Fame Induction: 2013

How Much Do NFL Players Bench?

Larry Allen Bench Pressing 700 LBS. I’ll Just Leave This Right Here: pic.twitter.com/GpmIJjW40K

— Coach Nate Leonard, M.Ed. (@CoachLeonardTX) February 13, 2020

Beyond the Combine, some NFL players have put up insane weight room numbers:

• Larry Allen – 705 lbs (320 kg) bench press (Cowboys workout)
• Aaron Donald – 500+ lbs (227+ kg) bench press
• James Harrison – 525 lbs (238 kg) bench press

How Much Do NFL Players Squat?

Saquon Barkley – 650 lbs (295 kg) Squat

Barkley’s legendary 650-lb squat at Penn State explains his explosiveness and balance on the field. He’s one of the most powerful runners in the league.

Vita Vea – 700 lbs (317 kg) Squat

Vea, a 350-lb defensive tackle, squatted 700 lbs in college. His power lets him anchor the defensive line against double teams.

Commentary

Justin Ernest’s 51 reps in 1999 remains the gold standard, but only a few players on this list turned their bench press dominance into long NFL careers. Strength helps, but football is about way more than lifting weights.