The NFL Combine’s on-field workouts invited some of the top 2026 prospects for a showcase of athleticism and skill over the weekend.
All four of North Carolina’s Power 4 programs were represented at the event with each having multiple players test in front of NFL personnel and media. Here’s a rundown of how they did, including standout players of other programs with North Carolina connections.
Former Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne showed off his speed, running a 4.37 40-yard dash, which ranked third in his position. He also recorded the fourth-best broad jump in the running back group with a mark of 10 feet, 2 inches. Earning a prospect grade of 6.00, Claiborne is projected to be an above-average backup.
Standing at 6 feet, 5 inches and 311 pounds, former Wake Forest offensive lineman Fa’alili Fa’amore recorded a vertical jump of 28.5 inches and a broad jump of 8 feet, 8 inches. Both results landed him in the bottom half of the offensive linemen.
Former UNC corner Marcus Allen put on an average showing at the Combine. He ran 4.5-second 40, which ranked 11th in his position. His 39-inch vertical jump ranked seventh, and his 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump ranked 10 for cornerbacks. Allen, standing at 6 feet and 2 inches tall, earned a 5.89 prospect grade, projecting him to be an average backup or special teamer in the NFL.
Thaddeus Dixon, UNC’s other starting corner in 2025, only tested the jumps at the combine, landing similar results to his teammate Allen. He recorded a 39.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 5-inch broad jump, which ranked sixth and eighth in his position, respectively. Dixon received a 5.95 prospect grade, which also projects him to be an average backup or special teamer.
Former Duke standout corner Chandler Rivers put his best foot forward in the 40 in which his 4.40 time ranked third in the speedy position group. Standing at 5 feet and 9.5 inches, Rivers recorded a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump which landed at fourth amongst corners. Due to his lack of size, Rivers is projected to be an above average backup and possibly move inside to the nickel position.
Vincent Anthony Jr., the former Duke defensive end, tested on the lower end of his position group in the 40 (4.84 seconds) and the vertical jump (32.5 inches). However, his broad jump (10 feet, 3 inches) ranked fifth amongst the edge rushers.
Former Duke center Brian Parker tested better in some areas than others with his 6-foot, 5-inch and 309-pound frame. Parker hit 29 reps on bench press, putting him at third amongst offensive linemen. He recorded a 7.66 3-cone drill, which ranked seventh in the position, and a 9-foot, 1-inch broad jump, which ranked eighth. His 40 (5.14 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.8 seconds) fell in the middle or near the bottom of the position group. Parker’s prospect grade of 6.22 projects him to be an average starter.
Although he tested at or near the bottom of edge rushers in the 40 (4.89) and the broad jump (10 feet), former Duke defensive end Wesley Williams’ best metric was his vertical jump (35.5 inches). Despite not standing out in his combine performance, Williams’ 6.19 prospect grade projects him to be a good backup with starter potential.
Former NC State tight end Justin Joly didn’t test at the Combine, but he earned a 6.16 prospect grade, projecting him to be a solid backup with starter potential.
Brandon Cleveland, the former NC State defensive tackle, only tested the 40, running it in 5.12 seconds.
Other Connections
Brandon Cisse, the South Carolina corner who started his collegiate career at NC State, performed as one of the most athletic corners at the combine. Cisse’s 10-foot, 11-inch broad jump and 41-inch vertical ranked third in his position.
Former Virginia running back J’Mari Taylor, a Millbrook alum who previously played at NC Central, recorded a 34.5-inch vertical and a 9-foot, 7-inch broad jump. He logged 20 reps on the bench, which was his best metric compared to the other participating running backs.
Diego Pounds, the former Ole Miss offensive tackle who previously played at UNC and Millbrook High School, fell into the middle of the pack of his position group, testing a 5.15-second 40, a 30-inch vertical jump and a 7.9-second 3-cone drill. His 9-foot, 4-inch broad jump ranked fifth amongst offensive linemen.
Other former North Carolina athletes that entered the combine included, Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion (formerly NC State), Memphis’ Travis Burke (formerly Gardner-Webb), Mizzou’s Keagen Trost (formerly Wake Forest), South Carolina’s Nick Barrett (Eastern Wayne alum) and UCLA’s Gary Smith III (formerly Duke).
