<P> Sports writers question whether these tests have any relationship with future NFL performance . Empirical research conducted by Brian D. Lyons, Brian J. Hoffman, John W. Michel, and Kevin J. Williams (2011) found that the 40 - yard dash, vertical jump, 20 - yard shuttle, and 3 cone drill tests have limited validity in predicting future NFL performance . In fact, the Lyons et al. (2011) study suggests that a prospect's past performance in college is a better indicator of future NFL performance than the aforementioned physical ability tests . </P> <P> At the NFL combine, bench press is used as a test of strength and stamina, in which athletes lift 225 pounds (102 kg) as many times as possible . Since 1998, only fifteen men at the combine have managed to achieve more than 40 "reps" (repetitions). </P> <Ul> <Li> 51 reps: Justin Ernest (1999) </Li> <Li> 49 reps: Stephen Paea (2011) </Li> <Li> 45 reps: Mike Kudla (2006), and Mitch Petrus (2010) Leif Larsen (2000) </Li> <Li> 44 reps: Brodrick Bunkley (2006), Jeff Owens (2010), and Dontari Poe (2012) </Li> <Li> 43 reps: Scott Young (2005) </Li> <Li> 42 reps: Isaac Sopoaga (2004), Tank Tyler (2007), Russell Bodine (2014) </Li> <Li> 41 reps: Igor Olshansky (2004), Terna Nande (2006), and David Molk (2012) </Li> </Ul> <Li> 51 reps: Justin Ernest (1999) </Li>

Who has the highest bench press in the nfl