The Wonderlic is given to prospective NFL players during the NFL Scouting Combine every April. This 12 minute 50 question test not only tests the intelligence of players but their ability to think and make decisions quickly.
While there have many impressive and nearly unbeatable Wonderlic test scores, others have not fared so well. Below are some of the most famous worst known Wonderlic test scores ever recorded during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Cordarrelle Patterson – WR – 11
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft after playing college ball at Tennessee. While a score of 11 on the Wonderlic is well below average, his stats playing in the NFL are the opposite. He currently holds a tie for the NFL record of longest play and set the record for longest kick return.
A.J. Green – WR – 10
While A.J. Green did poorly when he took the Wonderlic, that didn’t seem to dampen his NFL draft position or his NFL career output. Green was drafted 4th overall in the 2011 NFL draft and has since put up monster numbers as a wide receiver. In each of his five seasons in the NFL Green has had over 1,000 yards of receiving. The only player in NFL history with more consecutive seasons of over 1,000 is Randy Moss with 6.
Are you smarter than an NFL player?
Take our quick 25 question IQ test and see how smart you really are!
Jeff George – QB – 10
1990 was a weak class for NFL quarterbacks, and Jeff George’s Wonderlic test score of 10 was an ominous sign of the future of the class as a whole. Nevertheless, George was the first overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. The start of his career with the Colts was disappointing, never throwing for more than 3,000 yards and season passer rating high of 76.3. While George played in the NFL for 13 seasons, he played those seasons between six NFL franchises and sources said he was not a coachable player.
Chris Leak – QB – 8
Florida Gators fans may forever remember Leak as the shining star quarterback that led them to a 2006 National Championship, however, things didn’t exactly pan out in the NFL. While a Wonderlic score of 10 was unimpressive at the NFL scouting combine, there were other warning signs including his height, weight, and arm strength. Maybe if Leak – a Russell Wilson lookalike – played a decade later he would be a star quarterback playing with the Seahawks.
Terrelle Pryor – QB – 7
After Terrelle Pryor very publicly left Ohio State there were many concerns about his ability to play in the NFL. His Wonderlic score of 7 was one of many factors that concerned scouts. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders but has not had much of any success thus far in the NFL.
Kelvin Benjamin – WR – 7
Kelvin Benjamin was regarded as one of the top wide receivers during the 2014 draft. His Wonderlic test score of 7 did not help impress scouts. Despite having a torn ACL, Benjamin has so far had a successful career in the NFL.
Oscar Davenport – QB – 6
North Carolina quarterback Oscar Davenport was expected to be a late round draft prospect. His low score of 6 on the Wonderlic couldn’t have helped his case and he went undrafted and never made it to the roster of an NFL team.
Frank Gore – RB – 6
Frank Gore, who was a top running back prospect in the 2005 NFL draft, made headline news when he scored a very low score of 6 on the Wonderlic test. Predictability of future success in the NFL couldn’t have been farther from the truth for Gore as he has put up monster stats in his NFL career.
Morris Claiborne – CB – 4
When it comes to the lowest Wonderlic test score of all time Morris Claiborne wins the title. Claiborne was an All-American from LSU and was drafted 6th overall in 2012 by the Dallas Cowboys. He has since gone on to have a successful career in the NFL with the Cowboys.
Aside from some injuries, Claiborne has had a productive year in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. If Wonderlic test scores are any indication for future success this is not a shining example.
jagged arrow by Tinashe Mugayi from the Noun Project