While the Wonderlic Test has gone by the wayside for most evaluators at the NFL combine, a new test has quickly taken its place and caught the interest of professionals and fans alike. That test is the S2 test, and it’s been in use since the Wonderlic was phased out in 2015.
What is the S2 test for NFL players?
You can find all the details of the test on the S2 website, but in short, the test claims that it “scientifically measures an athlete’s game-speed cognitive abilities down to a millisecond level.” The test provides a report on metrics such as:
- Perception speed
- Trajectory estimation
- Rhythm control
- Timing control
- Distraction control
- Impulse control
- Stopping control
- Instinctive learning
The S2 test consists of nine distinct segments that are graded separately. The test assesses a quarterback’s aptitude to perform various tasks, including the ability to track multiple objects, make intricate decisions, filter through if/then scenarios with varying defensive circumstances, and improvise. The entire test takes 45 minutes to complete and is conducted on a gaming laptop. Its primary objective is to evaluate how quickly players can analyze the information displayed on the screen before them.
The new test differs from the Wonderlic, which measures an individual’s general cognitive ability in three areas: math, vocabulary, and reasoning. The Wonderlic test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 12 minutes, with the highest possible score being 50.
How Did 2023 Quarterbacks Score?
The following scores leaked this past week, which led to a number of reports of C.J. Stroud’s falling draft stock after a lackluster performance on the S2 test.
| Player | College | S2 Score |
|---|---|---|
| Bryce Young | Alabama | 98% |
| Jake Haener | Fresno State | 96% |
| Will Levis | Kentucky | 93% |
| Jaren Hall | BYU | 93% |
| Clayton Tune | Houston | 84% |
| Anthony Richardson | Florida | 79% |
| Hendon Hooker | Tennessee | 46% |
| C.J. Stroud | Ohio State | 18% |
Bryce Young’s S2 score of 98% is a new NFL Combine record and bodes well for his NFL future as previous high scoring quarterbacks have performed well in recent years. Kentucky’s Will Levis is another top prospect who performed well, and Jake Haener of Fresno State may have improved his eventual NFL payday with a strong showing.
Historic NFL Quarterback S2 Scores
While S2 scores have been kept under wraps much more tightly than the Wonderlic scores of the past, an article by The Athletic stated that some of the more successful young QBs in the NFL – Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Fields, and Josh Allen all scored in the mid-90s, as did last year’s surprise quarterback Brock Purdy.
Legendary quarterback Drew Brees apparently also took the S2 test and performed remarkably well, which would align with his record-breaking career much better than his good, but not great Wonderlic score of 28.
What Does This All Mean?
Honestly, it’s probably too early to tell, though there seems to be at least some correlation between performance on the S2 test and NFL success for some of the more recent quarterbacks. However, information has been scant for the most part, so it’s possible some underwhelming quarterbacks have scores that are not correlating well with results.
For a trip down memory lane, have a look at our database of NFL Wonderlic test scores, or take a practice test to see how you stack up against NFL legends.