Brock Lesnar is known for his dominance in WWE, UFC, and collegiate wrestling, but his brief stint in the NFL remains one of the most intriguing "what-ifs" in sports history. After a dominant wrestling career at Minnesota, Lesnar shocked the sports world when he attempted to transition to the NFL in 2004, joining the Minnesota Vikings as a defensive lineman. Though he didn’t make the final roster, his NFL Combine numbers were absurd for a man of his size.
Brock Lesnar’s Unreal NFL Combine Stats
Long before Lesnar delivered his first F-5 in the wrestling ring, or his first knockout in the UFC, Lesnar’s raw athletic ability at the NFL Combine was off the charts:
- 40-yard dash: 4.7 seconds (at 283 pounds!)
- Vertical jump: 35 inches
- Broad jump: 10 feet
- Bench press (225 lbs): 30 reps
For context, these numbers are elite for an NFL defensive lineman, let alone for someone who wasn’t even training for football. Lesnar’s power, explosiveness, and speed were borderline superhuman, making his attempt at professional football all the more fascinating.
What Could Have Been?
Lesnar’s natural athletic gifts raise the question: What if he had dedicated himself to football earlier? With his size, speed, and work ethic, could he have developed into an NFL star? It’s a debate that still fuels sports conversations to this day. A guy that size, moving that fast and being that strong; that is a nightmare for opposing offenses.
Though his NFL dreams ended after the preseason, Lesnar went on to conquer the UFC as Heavyweight Champion and solidify himself as one of WWE’s most dominant figures. But for a brief moment in 2004, the NFL got a glimpse of one of the most freakishly gifted athletes ever.
As a Kentucky fan do you remember Lesnar or any other sports star coming to the Combine and performing in that dominating of a fashion?