Halton's elite athleticism and Spears-Jennings' blazing speed turned heads, skyrocketing their NFL Draft stock with standout performances
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The NFL Scouting Combine continues to serve as the ultimate proving ground for draft hopefuls, where raw athleticism meets film study and production. This week, two University of Oklahoma standouts—defensive tackle Gracen Halton and safety Robert Spears-Jennings—delivered performances that have scouts and analysts taking notice.
Their explosive testing numbers, paired with proven college production, could dramatically elevate their draft stock as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.
Gracen Halton, a powerful interior defensive lineman, turned in one of the most impressive athletic showings of the week for defensive tackles. His 36.50-inch vertical leap led all DTs at the Combine and ranked as the third-highest vertical by any defensive tackle since 2010.
That kind of explosion off the ground is rare for a player his size and signals elite first-step quickness and power—exactly what NFL teams crave in a three-technique or nose tackle who can disrupt offensive lines.
Halton didn’t stop there. He posted a 9’6” broad jump, good for third among defensive tackles, and clocked a 4.82-second 40-yard dash that ranked third at the position. His agility tested equally well: a 4.79-second 20-yard shuttle tied for third, while his 1.70-second 10-yard split placed fifth among all DTs tested on Thursday.
These numbers paint the picture of a defensive tackle who can not only hold the point of attack but also chase down plays in space and collapse the pocket with suddenness.
The athletic outburst arrives at the perfect time for Halton. Entering the week, he sat as the No. 9 defensive tackle on ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper’s Big Board. He is coming off a career year in which he recorded 33 total tackles and 7.0 tackles for loss—both personal bests. Halton also tallied 3.5 sacks, two passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
As a junior he posted 30 tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks, and two forced fumbles. His earlier campaigns included 11 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in 2023 and 10 tackles with one tackle for loss in 2022. That steady upward trajectory, now backed by elite Combine testing, positions Halton as a potential riser who could hear his name called on Day 2 or early Day 3.
Meanwhile, safety Robert Spears-Jennings lit up the Friday session with pure speed. His 4.32-second 40-yard dash left draft analysts buzzing and marked one of the fastest times at the position. That blazing speed included a 1.51-second 10-yard split—third-best among all safeties tested—highlighting his ability to close on the ball in a flash.
Spears-Jennings also posted a 35-inch vertical leap, a 105-inch broad jump that tied for seventh among safeties, and a 4.43-second 20-yard shuttle.
Production has never been an issue for the former Sooner. In 2025 he finished third on the Oklahoma team in tackles. The year before, he ranked second on the squad. Over his career in Norman, Spears-Jennings racked up 178 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, four pass deflections, and five forced fumbles.
He has shown the versatility to play deep center field, slide into the box as a strong safety, and create turnovers—skills that translate perfectly to today’s NFL, where safeties must be both coverage specialists and run-game enforcers.
The performances of Halton and Spears-Jennings underscore Oklahoma’s continued pipeline to the NFL. The Sooners have long produced high-character, high-motor defensive players who translate their college success into professional careers, and these two fit that mold perfectly.
Halton’s rare combination of size, power, and suddenness gives him the tools to become an immediate rotational piece or even a starter on the interior.
Spears-Jennings’ top-end speed and playmaking instincts could make him a special-teams ace who quickly earns defensive snaps.
As the pre-draft process rolls on—with pro days, private workouts, and team visits still ahead—both prospects have given themselves every chance to climb draft boards.
For Gracen Halton and Robert Spears-Jennings, the Combine was more than just a series of drills; it was a platform to prove they belong among the best athletes in the 2026 class.
Oklahoma fans have another reason to watch this spring’s draft with excitement, knowing two more Sooners are poised to hear their names called and begin their NFL journeys.