These former Washington players had historic performances at NFL Combine

The 2022 NFL Combine is currently underway at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and the Washington Commanders have a handful of representatives, including head coach and final decision-maker Ron Rivera, in attendance.

With some of the nation’s most exciting players expected to participate, the annual showcase could end up determining what the Commanders do with their first-round selection, assuming nobody interferes with their plans.

Whatever the case, there’s major excitement surrounding this year’s Combine. Not only is the incoming draft class loaded with premier talents, but it’s been two years since football fans have gotten to watch the event.

If you remember, the 2021 Combine was canceled due to COVID-19 representing obvious dangers to player safety. So, in celebration of its long-awaited return, let’s look back on some of the finest performances in the event’s history.

Spoiler: Two former Washington players made the cut!

What are some of the best NFL Combine performances of all-time?

Trent Williams (2010) 

Is former Washington great Trent Williams the best left tackle of his generation? We like to think so, and it all started with his showing at the 2010 Combine, which ultimately helped him get drafted fourth overall by the franchise.

A mountain of a man at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, the then-Oklahoma standout ran the 40-yard dash in a blistering 4.81 seconds. He parlayed that into a 4.63-second in the shuttle run, a 9-foot, 5-inch broad jump and a 34.5 inch vertical.

Williams is now a nine-time Pro Bowler and has a bust in Canton waiting for him whenever he becomes Hall of Fame eligible.

Bo Jackson (1982) 

Bo Jackson is one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports, so there was a spot reserved for him in this article.

He was a superstar both in the NFL and MLB for a period of time and is said to have ran the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.12 seconds) in Combine history. Though that number isn’t technically unofficial, one quick search of his career highlights will help convince you that he was, in fact, faster than lightning.

Dontari Poe (2012)

After weighing in at a whopping 346 pounds, Poe ran the 40-yard dash in an impossible 4.98 seconds at the 2012 Combine. That might not seem noteworthy given running backs and wide receivers have almost made a joke out of the dash, but Poe clocked out at 17 miles per hour during his sprint.

In doing so, the Memphis product became the first lineman over 340 pounds to run the dash in under 4.90 seconds. He also pumped out 44 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press en route to becoming the No. 11 overall pick.