NFL Combine Bench Press Results: Top Scores and Grades

It's Day 5 of the 2012 combine, which means that the next-to-last group of players will be lining up to participate in the bench press drill when defensive linemen and linebackers hit the weights to see how many reps of 225 pounds they can do in a display of strength and endurance.

As is the case every year, some players stole the show in the bench press, while others were lucky to get things off the ground. So here's a look at the bench press studs and duds from this year's festivities in Indianapolis.

Quarterbacks

Head of the Class: This one shouldn't even really count, as only two quarterbacks even participated in the bench press, but both LSU signal-caller Jordan Jefferson and Darron Thomas of Oregon tied for the "top spot" with 14 reps.

Running Backs

Head of the Class: Running backs Robert Turbin of Utah State and Doug Martin of Boise State both helped their draft stock with solid performances at the combine, including displaying outstanding upper body strength in racking up 28 reps on the bench press.

C-Student: Some scouts question whether or not Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray has the size or power to succeed in the National Football League. The 5'10" 206-pound Gray didn't do much to allay those concerns, with a so-so 21 reps on the bench.

Flunked Out: LaMichael James of Oregon is already viewed as a change-of-pace back at the next level due to his 5'8" 194-ponnd frame, and managing only 15 reps in the bench press will do nothing to change those perceptions.

Wide Receivers

Head of the Class: California wide receiver Marvin Jones and wideout Jerrell Jackson of Missouri were thought of as late-draft fliers at best entering the combine, but the pair may have boosted their stock a bit by tallying a position-leading 22 reps on the bench press.

C-Student: Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon may be the leading candidate to be the first wide receiver taken in April's NFL draft, but his 14 reps on the bench press left him in the middle of the pack.

Flunked Out: North Carolina State's T.J. Graham was already something of a longshot to be drafted due to his diminutive 5'11" frame, and the 188-pounder didn't do much to help himself with a measly nine bench press reps.

Tight Ends

Head of the Class: Tight end Orson Charles chose to forgo running the 40-yard dash at the combine. But while his speed wasn't on display, his strength certainly was, as his 35 reps on the bench press was tops among tight ends and more than all but one offensive lineman.

C-Student: Oregon's David Paulson is an intriguing mid-round prospect from a receiving standpoint, but after playing in a spread offense for the Ducks, there are questions about his blocking ability that weren't answered by Paulson's 21 reps in the drill.

Flunked Out: Cory Harkey of UCLA entered the combine as something of a situational blocker-type prospect, and given that, his stock took a considerable hit after a pitiful 13 bench press reps.

Offensive Linemen

Head of the Class: Hulking Michigan center David Molk was one of the stars of the bench press drill at the 2012 combine. The 298-pounder's 41 reps was tops among offensive linemen and was among the best performances by any player.

C-Student: Riley Reiff of Iowa is considered one of the top right tackle prospects in this year's draft class, but he suffered through a disappointing showing at the combine, including a pedestrian 23 reps on the bench press

Flunked Out: A lack of upper body strength was already a concern that scouts had in regards to Nebraska's Marcel Jones, and the senior gave doubters more fuel for the fire with a minuscule 13 repetitions on the bench.

Defensive Linemen

Head of the Class: Defensive tackle Dontari Poe was the King Kong of this year's combine. The 346-pound beefeater's 44 reps on the bench press was tops among all players and likely increased Poe's chances of being a first-round pick in April's draft.

C-Student: North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples is projected by many as a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft, but a so-so 25 reps on the bench press won't quiet those that question the 6'6" Tar Heels standout's consistency.

Flunked Out: Like Coples, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers is projected by some as a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft. But Brockers' stock may be dropping after his 19 bench press repetitions tied for last among defensive linemen.

Linebackers

Head of the Class: Ronnell Lewis was a defensive end at the University of Oklahoma and will likely slide outside at the professional level.

Lewis displayed the power of a lineman at the combine, ripping off an impressive 36 reps on the bench press.

C-Student: Outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw of Alabama is viewed as possibly the top pass rushing linebacker prospect in the 2012 draft class, but the 6'2" 272-pound Upshaw was thoroughly unimpressive, putting up only 22 bench press repetitions at the combine.

Flunked Out: North Carolina State's Audie Cole was one of the more heralded young 4-3 middle linebackers entering the scouting combine, but Cole's stock was punched in the eye when he struggled in the bench press, managing only 15 reps.