At the recent NFL Combine, Michigan running back Blake Corum, standing at 5’8″, and star offensive tackle Joe Alt, towering at 6’8″, both remarkably achieved 27 repetitions on the bench press. This surprising statistic, as highlighted in the video above, immediately sparks a critical discussion about the efficacy of the NFL Combine bench press as a genuine indicator of a player’s functional strength. While a raw number of reps might seem impressive on paper, it often fails to account for crucial biomechanical differences that significantly impact performance on this particular test. Understanding these nuances is key to properly evaluating athletic prowess beyond mere statistics.
The core issue with the NFL Combine bench press test lies in its standardized nature applied to incredibly diverse body types. Imagine two athletes, one with significantly longer arms than the other; the individual with longer limbs must move the bar through a far greater range of motion for each single repetition. This increased travel distance translates to more work done per rep, requiring a sustained effort over a longer duration against gravity. Consequently, comparing the rep counts of players like Corum and Alt, with their vastly different heights and arm lengths, becomes an inherently flawed assessment of who possesses superior upper body strength or power. It’s not just about pushing weight; it’s about the physics involved in the push.
Why the Bench Press Isn’t the Ultimate Strength Test for NFL Talent
Firstly, the bench press primarily measures what’s known as “absolute strength” in a very specific, supine position. While important, absolute strength doesn’t always translate directly to a player’s functional strength on the football field. On the gridiron, players rarely exert force from a stable, lying position; instead, they operate in dynamic, unstable, and often unpredictable environments. They need to push, pull, block, tackle, and shed opponents from various angles and positions. A high bench press total does not automatically guarantee success in these complex, multi-directional actions that define football performance.
Secondly, leverage plays an enormous role in bench press performance. An athlete with a shorter arm span benefits from a reduced range of motion and often a more advantageous leverage point, allowing them to complete more repetitions with less overall effort compared to someone with longer limbs. This biomechanical advantage is clearly illustrated by the difference between Corum and Alt; Alt’s significantly longer arms mean he expends far more energy and recruits more muscle fibers to complete the same number of reps. Therefore, the test inadvertently favors athletes with certain anthropometric characteristics rather than showcasing pure strength across the board. This disparity makes the NFL Combine bench press an imperfect metric for comparing athletes of different builds.
Understanding Relative Strength vs. Absolute Strength
To gain a more complete picture of an athlete’s physical capabilities, we must differentiate between absolute strength and relative strength. Absolute strength refers to the maximum amount of force an individual can produce, irrespective of their body weight, which is what the bench press reps aim to quantify. Relative strength, however, considers an athlete’s strength in proportion to their own body mass. For a running back like Blake Corum, who needs to be agile and explosive, relative strength—the ability to move his own body weight efficiently and powerfully—is arguably more critical. A smaller player with high relative strength can generate immense power for their size, a trait vital for breaking tackles and accelerating quickly.
Conversely, for an offensive lineman like Joe Alt, while relative strength is still important, absolute strength is paramount when engaging in battles in the trenches. He needs to move massive opposing players, demanding raw, brute force. The problem arises when we use a single, unqualified number from the NFL Combine bench press to compare these two distinct types of players. It’s akin to comparing a sprinter’s top speed to a marathon runner’s endurance; both are athletic traits, but they serve different purposes and are measured differently. This test, therefore, creates a misleading apples-to-oranges comparison, obscuring true individual strengths.
Beyond the Bench: More Comprehensive Strength & Performance Indicators
Evaluating an athlete’s readiness for the NFL requires a much broader set of performance indicators beyond just the bench press. Other NFL Combine drills, such as the vertical jump, broad jump, and various agility drills, offer more functional insights into explosive power, lower body strength, and quickness. These tests often correlate more directly with on-field success for positions that demand dynamic movement and sudden changes in direction. For instance, a strong vertical jump indicates powerful leg drive, essential for a running back, while an impressive broad jump showcases full-body explosive power.
Furthermore, position-specific drills and game film provide invaluable context that no single static strength test ever could. Watching how an offensive tackle uses his leverage against a pass rusher, or how a running back breaks tackles and maintains balance, reveals functional strength in a way that 27 bench press reps never will. Scouts also heavily weigh an athlete’s body composition, injury history, and overall athleticism in their comprehensive evaluations. The NFL Combine bench press is just one small piece of a much larger, complex puzzle, offering only a glimpse into a player’s upper body strength within a controlled environment.
Refining Strength Assessment in Player Evaluation
Moving forward, the conversation around strength assessment in football should shift towards more nuanced and position-specific measurements. While the NFL Combine bench press might serve some purpose in highlighting raw pressing ability, it shouldn’t be the definitive metric for overall upper body strength or player potential. Coaches and scouts increasingly consider factors like grip strength, rotational power, and core stability, which are far more indicative of a player’s ability to dominate on the field. These elements contribute significantly to a player’s ability to exert force in complex situations, hold blocks, and make powerful tackles.
Ultimately, a holistic approach to player evaluation, combining objective data from a variety of tests with subjective observations from game film and interviews, provides the most accurate assessment. The striking case of Blake Corum and Joe Alt achieving identical NFL Combine bench press numbers perfectly illustrates the limitations of a one-size-fits-all strength test. By expanding our understanding of strength and its application, we can develop more effective methods for identifying and cultivating the next generation of football talent, moving beyond simplistic comparisons to truly appreciate diverse athletic capabilities.
Unracking the Truth: Your Bench Press Q&A
What is the main issue with the NFL Combine bench press test?
The test uses a standard weight for all players, but doesn’t properly account for different body types, especially varying arm lengths.
Why does arm length affect bench press performance?
Players with longer arms must move the bar a greater distance for each repetition. This requires more effort and makes it harder to achieve the same number of reps as someone with shorter arms.
What’s the difference between ‘absolute strength’ and ‘relative strength’?
Absolute strength is the total force an individual can produce, regardless of their body weight. Relative strength considers that force in proportion to their body weight.
Is the bench press a complete measure of a football player’s strength?
No, it mainly measures strength in a stable, lying position. Football requires dynamic, multi-directional strength, so the bench press doesn’t fully represent on-field performance.