There shouldn't be anymore questioning of Ethan Downs' strength.
Downs on Friday did 32 reps on the bench press during Day 2 of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. That was more than every other defensive lineman participating at the NFL Combine, with Maryland defensive tackle Jordan Phillips getting the second-most with 29 reps.
The most ever bench press reps from a defensive end at the NFL combine was 38 from SMU's Margus Hunt in 2013. Downs' 32 reps was the most from a defensive end since Auburn's Carl Lawson got 35 in 2017.
Downs also ran an impressive 4.69 40-yard dash on Thursday.
Despite the solid showing in the bench press and 40-yard dash, it has still been an overall disappointing outing at the NFL Combine for Downs, at least according to his combine score from the NFL. He got a boost Friday, but his combine score of 63 still ranks 30th out of 34 defensive ends participating.
Downs' other numbers included a 1.62 10-yard split, 34-inch vertical jump, 9-foot and 11-inch broad jump, 7.58 three-cone drill and 4.59 20-yard shuttle.
Ethan Downs Combine numbers and workout highlights #sooners 32 reps on bench has him at top of the DL group pic.twitter.com/xPFf0YVBEi
— Jeremie Poplin (@jeremiepoplin) February 28, 2025
Downs was a three-year starter for the Oklahoma Sooners, starting 37 games during his career. He was a two-time Second-Team All-Big 12 honoree in 2022 and 2023.
Downs is one of three former OU players participating at the NFL Combine this week, joining linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman Jr. Stutsman did most of his drills on Thursday along with Downs, while Bowman is going with the defensive backs on Friday.
Stutsman has raised a lot of eyebrows with the fifth-best score among linebackers at 74.