Stephen Paea has displayed his prowess on the gridiron with thudding tackles, but the 2011 season of the NFL Combine revealed that he can be a beast in the gym as well.

With the 2026 edition of the NFL Combine set to air from February 26, NFL authorities shared an Instagram update featuring Paea on February 24. It featured a throwback video to the episode of the 2011 NFL Combine where Paea stunningly scored 49 repetitions of a 225-pound bench press before giving up.

The NFL Combine is no stranger to athletic records being created and broken. But then came the 2011 NFL Combine, where Stephen Paea’s 49 repetitions of 225 pounds bench press shook everyone.

Even in a place that is known to push physical extremes, this feat felt unreal. The rep count is counted among the top ones in Combine history. NFL rightly captioned the video, "49 reps on the bench is crazy."

Paea's performance placed him all-time second in this category, behind only Justin Ernest, who famously bench pressed 51 reps in 1999. The feat helped him earn a place in the NFL, as he got drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round, 53rd overall pick.

For those who don't know, the NFL Combine is a week long scounting showcase where more than 300 NFL prospects showcase their talents in hopes of getting drafted. This year, the showcase started on February 26 and will be held till March 1.

The physical tests are based on a player's position and include tests like:

• 0-yard dash
• 3-cone drill
• Short shuttle
• Vertical jump
• Broad jump
• Bench press

Top offensive and defensive prospects for the 2026 NFL Combine

This year's prospects are looking promising, but the pool seems wider in the defense section. Here is the full list.

Defensive

Defensive tackle:

• Peter Woods, Clemson
• Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
• Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
• Keldric Faulk, Auburn
• Christen Miller, Georgia

Edge Rusher:

• Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
• Arvell Reese, Ohio State
• David Bailey, Texas Tech
• Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
• Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)

Linebreaker:

• Sonny Styles, Ohio State
• Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
• Jake Golday, Cincinnati
• Josiah Trotter Jr., Missouri
• CJ Allen, Georgia

Cornerback:

• Jermond McCoy, Tennessee
• Avieon Terrell, Clemson
• Mansoor Delane, LSU
• Colton Hood, Tennessee
• Keith Abney, Arizona State

Safety:

• Caleb Downs, Ohio State
• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
• Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
• Keionte Scott, Miami (FL)
• Genesis Smith, Arizona

Offensive

• Cole Payton, North Dakota State
• Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
• Brenan Thompson, Mississippi State
• Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
• Zavion Thomas, LSU
• Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

So, it seems like being good at working out can certainly facilitate your case, even if you are looking to enter a sport other than bodybuilding.

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Souvik Roy