15 Players With The Worst Wonderlic Scores In NFL Combine History

By Shawn Spencer

15 Players With The Worst Wonderlic Scores In NFL Combine History

Morris Claiborne Cowboys — According to Wonderlic, Inc. the average test score is about a 20 out of 50. The company also states a score of at least 10 proves a person is literate. Unfortunately for most of these 15 prospects, they scored in the single digits. While the test scores are never publicly released, terrible scores are generally leaked before the draft.

15. Jeff George (QB-Illinois): 10

Wonderlic Jeff George

15. Jeff George (QB-Illinois): 10

Wonderlic Jeff George — Although the 1990 NFL Draft included four eventual members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it was a very weak QB class. Jeff George and Andre Ware were the two first-round picks, and neither lived up to the hype. George did play 12 years in the league, but never stuck around with one team very long. His 10 on the Wonderlic indicated he was literate, but his career floundered in part because he wasn't coachable.

14. A.J. Green (WR-Georgia): 10

Wonderlic AJ Green

14. A.J. Green (WR-Georgia): 10

A.J. Green Bengals — The Cincinnati Bengals drafted A.J. Green fourth-overall in the 2011 draft. He didn't score well on the Wonderlic, but his career to this point has been a success. Green is one of the most talented receivers in the league and figures to play a big role with the Bengals for years to come. His production would be even greater if the Bengals could find a legitimate No. 2 WR.

13. Sebastian Janikowski (K-Florida State): 9

Sebastian Janikowski Raiders

13. Sebastian Janikowski (K-Florida State): 9

Sebastian Janikowski Raiders — Only the Oakland Raiders would draft a kicker in Round 1. Sebastian Janikowski only scored a nine on the Wonderlic, but Al Davis selected him with the 17th pick in 2000. This was the highest a specialist had been drafted since Russell Erxleben was selected 11th overall in 1979. While some considered this a wasted pick, Janikowski has had a great career. He's spent his entire 15 year career with the Raiders and has over 1,500 career points.

12. Carlos Hyde (RB-Ohio State): 9

Wonderlic Carlos Hyde

12. Carlos Hyde (RB-Ohio State): 9

Wonderlic Carlos Hyde — The first of two San Francisco 49ers running backs on this list is Carlos Hyde. It was only a year ago that Hyde scored a nine on his Wonderlic. We'll never know for sure, but his draft stock may have been hurt by this. He was the top RB on many boards, but wound up being drafted after both Bishop Sankey and Jeremy Hill. Hyde accounted for 333 yards as a rookie, but should have a much bigger role in 2015 if Frank Gore does not return.

11. Patrick Peterson (CB-LSU): 9

Wonderlic Patrick Peterson

11. Patrick Peterson (CB-LSU): 9

Wonderlic Patrick Peterson — This is one of several cases in which the Wonderlic score was not an accurate indicator of a prospect's NFL success. Patrick Peterson is regarded as one of the best corners in the game. The Arizona Cardinals weren't concerned with the score, as the team selected Peterson fifth-overall in 2011. Another elite CB, Darrelle Revis, only scored a 10. Out of every position, CB seems to be the spot in which the Wonderlic score means very little.

10. Chris Leak (QB-Florida): 8

Chris Leak Bears

10. Chris Leak (QB-Florida): 8

Chris Leak Bears — Although he led the Florida Gators to a National Championship in 2006, Chris Leak was never really thought of as a potential starting QB in the NFL. He was undersized and didn't have the arm to compete at the highest level. He may have at least been drafted if it weren't for his score of eight on the Wonderlic test. The Bears signed Leak as an undrafted free agent, but he did not see the field in a regular season game.

9. Tavon Austin (WR-West Virginia): 7

Tavon Austin Rams

9. Tavon Austin (WR-West Virginia): 7

Tavon Austin Rams — Tavon Austin has only been in the league for two years, yet he's already considered a bust. In what was a very weak draft, the Rams drafted Austin with the No. 8 pick in Round 1. The team hoped he would bring back the "Greatest Show on Turf", but he hasn't been able to live up to his hype. He's only started 11 total games and failed to catch a touchdown pass in 2014. This is a case of the Wonderlic being an accurate indicator.

8. Kelvin Benjamin (WR-Florida State): 7

Kelvin Benjamin Panthers

8. Kelvin Benjamin (WR-Florida State): 7

Kelvin Benjamin Panthers — The Wonderlic appears to be inaccurate in projecting Kelvin Benjamin's success. Like Austin, Benjamin scored a seven. Whether or not he intentionally failed the test is in question, as he did claim to run a slow 40-yard dash so he would fall to the Panthers in the draft. Either way, Benjamin had a great rookie season, catching 73 passes for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns. It looks as if he'll be Cam Newton's go-to receiver for years to come.

7. Terrelle Pryor (QB-Ohio State): 7

Terrelle Pryor Raiders

7. Terrelle Pryor (QB-Ohio State): 7

Terrelle Pryor Raiders — Terrelle Pryor's departure from Ohio State is well-documented, but his Wonderlic score is often forgotten. He would eventually enter the 2011 Supplemental Draft and unsurprisingly was chosen by the Oakland Raiders. Pryor struggled in Oakland and hasn't seen the field as a member of the Seahawks or Chiefs. There was a long list of concerns surrounding Pryor before the draft, and the Wonderlic results just added to it.

6. Oscar Davenport (QB-North Carolina): 6

Oscar Davenport North Carolina

6. Oscar Davenport (QB-North Carolina): 6

Oscar Davenport North Carolina — Although he wasn't a full-time starter at North Carolina, Oscar Davenport played well enough to earn an invite to the Combine in 1999. He had a chance to be selected as a developmental project late in the draft, but his Wonderlic score of six ended that chance. He never signed with an NFL team.

5. Frank Gore (RB-Miami): 6

Frank Gore 49ers

5. Frank Gore (RB-Miami): 6

Frank Gore 49ers — Frank Gore has had the best career of any player on this list, despite answering just six out of 50 questions correctly. His dyslexia certainly played a role, as Gore was diagnosed with the disability at an early age. It hasn't impacted his career on the field, as Gore has run for over 11,000 yards in his career. Even at an advanced age for running backs, Gore hasn't missed a game since 2010.

4. Vince Young (QB-Texas): 6

Vince Young Titans

4. Vince Young (QB-Texas): 6

Vince Young Titans — Vince Young scored so poorly on the Wonderlic test that he took it twice prior to the 2006 NFL Draft. He reportedly scored a 16 the second time, but his initial score of six should have sent out a red flag. The score may have ended his chance to be the No. 1 pick, but the Titans selected Young at No. 3. After a successful start to his career, Young quickly regressed. He hasn't played in a regular season game since 2011.

3. Edward Prather (S-Mississippi State): 5

Edward Prather Mississippi State

3. Edward Prather (S-Mississippi State): 5

Edward Prather Mississippi State — Edward "Pig" Prather was a hard-hitting strong safety at Mississippi State. Due to a shoulder injury, he was unable to participate in drills at the 2002 Combine. Since he was just going to take the Wonderlic and meet with teams, there's no reason his score should have been so low. The score was actually a great indication of his career. After signing with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent, Prather quit the team during training camp.

2. Darren Davis (RB-Iowa State): 4

Darren Davis Iowa State

2. Darren Davis (RB-Iowa State): 4

Darren Davis Iowa State — Darren Davis is another prospect who went undrafted after failing the Wonderlic test. Davis ran for over 1,000 yards in each of his final three seasons at Iowa State, but the test score resulted in him falling out of the draft. After not making an NFL team, Davis joined the CFL and played for four seasons. His score of four is tied for the lowest score ever at the Combine.

1. Morris Claiborne (CB-LSU): 4

Morris Claiborne Cowboys

1. Morris Claiborne (CB-LSU): 4

Morris Claiborne Cowboys — Tied for the lowest score is Morris Claiborne. Despite answering just four questions correctly, the Cowboys actually traded up to draft him No. 6 overall in 2012. Claiborne claims to have blown off the test because it wasn't relevant. Apparently covering receivers is irrelevant as well, because he doesn't do that either. Claiborne will enter the final guaranteed year of his contract in 2015 as the third or fourth CB on the depth chart.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:
Predicting the Top Performer in Every Combine Workout Drill
10 Players With the Best Wonderlic Scores in NFL Combine History

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