Athleticism That Stole the Show at the PRZ AZ Combine

Not every rep at the Prep Redzone AZ Combine happened during position drills or 1-on-1s. Some of the most telling performances came in the testing phase — when raw athleticism took center stage. Whether it was straight-line speed in the 40-yard dash, lateral quickness in the shuttle, or explosiveness in the broad jump, a few guys proved they're not just football players — they're straight-up athletes.   With full testing numbers rolling in, it's clear who separated themselves with measurable traits. These players might not have all been the biggest names coming in, but their times demanded attention.    [player_tooltip player_id='1369395' first='Dante' last='Bruley'] was the fourth-tallest athlete at the event, and the third heaviest — but he moved around with more twitch and explosion than anybody at any position. The 2026 EDGE from Basha absolutely torched the testing portion of the combine, putting up the fastest 40-yard dash, the fastest L-Drill, the longest broad jump, and the second fastest shuttle time of the day. That's absurd for a player his size and position. His 4.5 40 wasn't just fast for a defensive end — it was fast, period. That kind of straight-line speed for someone with his frame shows the kind of raw athleticism you just don't see often. The 10' broad jump highlighted his explosiveness, and the agility drills — both the 4.35 shuttle and 6.87 L-Drill — showed just how well he can bend, change direction, and move laterally. It all translates to a guy who can explode off the ball, redirect in space, and chase down plays from behind.     [player_tooltip player_id='917327' first='Parker' last='Schmitz'] clocked the fastest 40-yard dash of any quarterback at the event with a 4.65, and also posted the second-best shuttle time at 4.5 — and he did it all with some serious twitch for his size. You could see right away that his first two steps were explosive, and it didn't take long for him to hit top speed. His 8'7" broad jump and 7.82 L-Drill added to a well-rounded testing profile that proved he's not just fast in a straight line — he's quick and agile, too. What made Parker's performance even more impressive was how fluid and effortless it looked. He moved like a smaller player, with clean transitions and little to no wasted motion, and showed the kind of mobility that can really open up an offense. At a position where athleticism is becoming more and more valuable, he's clearly a modern QB — one who can extend plays, pick up yards with his legs, and reset quickly when on the move.     Among defensive linemen, [player_tooltip player_id='955584' first='Ian' last='Fullmer'] was right on the heels of [player_tooltip player_id='1369395' first='Dante' last='Bruley'] in nearly every athletic category — and that's saying something. At 6'0", 200 pounds, he's incredibly well put together for a 2028 and already has the frame and definition of an older prospect. What stood out most was how fluid and coordinated he moved for a player his size. He clocked a 4.75 in the 40, a 4.47 shuttle, jumped 9'2" in the broad, and ran a 7.75 L-Drill — those numbers speak to a guy who's more than just a strong body in the trenches. Even before the football-specific drills kicked off, Ian was already on people's radars. His movement stood out during warmups and testing. He didn't lumber or labor through reps like you sometimes see with younger linemen — he was clean, smooth, and clearly prepared to compete. There's a level of athletic maturity in his game already, and once you add in more technique and experience, the ceiling is sky-high.     [player_tooltip player_id='1655345' first='Gage' last='Highsmith'] quietly had one of the most impressive testing days of any athlete under 6 feet — and possibly one of the most well-rounded at the entire combine. He finished top three in every single testing category among that group, and those numbers weren't empty either. They showed up on the field, where he moved smoothly and confidently through every drill. His 7.37 L-Drill was one of the sharpest-looking of the day — quick feet, tight turns, and no wasted motion. It showed off his balance, flexibility, and control in space. He also ran a 4.84 in the 40 and a 4.53 shuttle, while putting up an 8'9" broad jump. Gage might not be the biggest guy on the field, but when it comes to athleticism, he stacked up with the best of them.     [player_tooltip player_id='1671469' first='Max' last='Wendelschafer'] brought one of the best mindsets to the event, and his testing numbers backed up that energy in a big way. He posted a 4.64 in the 40 — the third-best mark of the entire event — and followed it up with a 4.62 shuttle that looked as clean and fluid as you'll see. Both runs had coaches taking a closer look, not just because of the speed, but because of how smooth and efficient he looked doing it. What stood out even more was how naturally he handled the entire testing phase. Max ran through each drill like he'd done it a hundred times. His footwork was crisp, his transitions were tight, and there was a confidence in his technique. He didn't overthink anything — just lined up, locked in, and executed like a pro.

Not every rep at the Prep Redzone AZ Combine happened during position drills or 1-on-1s. Some of the most telling performances came in the testing phase — when raw athleticism took center stage. Whether it was straight-line speed in the 40-yard dash, lateral quickness in the shuttle, or explosiveness in the broad jump, a few guys proved they're not just football players — they're straight-up athletes.