The Bench Press at the NFL Combine is used as a basic measure of strength. The event measures how many times a player can bench press 225 lbs. The best bench press scores ever recorded at the NFL Combine are:
- 51 reps – Justin Ernest (1999)
- 49 reps – Stephen Paea (2011)
- 45 reps – Leif Larsen (2000)
- 45 reps – Mike Kudla (2006)
- 45 reps – Mitch Petrus (2010)
- 44 reps – Brodrick Bunkley (2006)
- 44 reps – Jeff Owens (2010)
- 43 reps – Scott Young (2005)
- 42 reps – Isaac Sopoaga (2004)
- 42 reps – Tank Tyler (2007)
51 reps has stood since the beginning of the electronic timing era (1999). Only Stephen Paea with his 49 reps has even come close to the impessive mark of 51 reps set by Eastern Kentucky’s Justin Ernest in 1999.