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Worst Wonderlic Scores in NFL Combine History

By Scott Rogust

Frank Gore posted one of the worst Wonderlic scores in NFL Combine history.
Frank Gore posted one of the worst Wonderlic scores in NFL Combine history. / Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

With Super Bowl LIV now over a week past us, the NFL's focus is now set on the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of the month.

The individual drills and team interviews will highlight the weekend for NFL Draft prospects. However, one forgotten part of the Combine is the Wonderlic test. The assessment determines the individual's cognitive ability and problem-solving skills. Even so, it doesn't determine how they will pan out in the NFL.

Some prospective players passed with flying colors. Others have rated as average. But then, there are some that absolutely bomb the test.

Here are the lowest Wonderlic scores in NFL Combine history.

6. Vince Young (6)

New York Giants vs Tennessee Titans - November 26, 2006
New York Giants vs Tennessee Titans - November 26, 2006 / Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Vince Young made a name for himself at Texas where he won the National Championship in his junior season. While he projected to be the future at the quarterback position, his Wonderlic score showed otherwise. After taking the exam, Young scored a dismal six. After a request for a redo, Young improved the score to...a 16. Still, the six stands. Even so, Young proved himself to be an adequate signal caller, but didn't live up to his third overall selection in the 2006 NFL Draft.

5. Oscar Davenport (6)

Oscar Davenport's Wonderlic score attributed to him failing to making the NFL.
Oscar Davenport's Wonderlic score attributed to him failing to making the NFL. / Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Oscar Davenport's chances of making the NFL were already slim. While playing at North Carolina, Davenport threw for 3,090 yards, 18 touchdowns, and eight interceptions through four seasons. After entering the draft process in 1999, Davenport took the Wonderlic test, and scored a six. While not the main reason, Davenport never made it to the NFL.

4. Frank Gore (6)

Frank Gore scored a 6 on the Wonderlic test. Even so, he's solidified himself as a Hall of Famer.
Frank Gore scored a 6 on the Wonderlic test. Even so, he's solidified himself as a Hall of Famer. / Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

Yes, the Frank Gore has one of the lowest Wonderlic scores in NFL Combine history. Scoring a six didn't hinder his NFL success. The San Francisco 49ers selected him in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and it turned out to be a total steal. In 14 seasons, Gore rushed for 15,347 yards and 79 touchdowns. Gore recently passed Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders for third place on the all-time rushing list. Gore is living proof that the Wonderlic test doesn't make or break an NFL prospect.

3. Edward Prather (5)

Edward 'Pig' Prather had the second-worst recorded Wonderlic of all-time.
Edward 'Pig' Prather had the second-worst recorded Wonderlic of all-time. / Michael Chang/Getty Images

Edward "Pig" Prather was known for his huge hits while playing safety at Mississippi State. However, those highlight-reel tackles were negated by his lapses in coverage on the field. Already on the outside-looking-in towards an NFL career, Prather scored a measly five on the Wonderlic. That proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Prather's chances of making it in the pros.

2. Morris Claiborne (4)

Morris Claiborne owns the worst Wonderlic score of any NFL player.
Morris Claiborne owns the worst Wonderlic score of any NFL player. / Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Morris Claiborne holds the distinction of having the worst Wonderlic score by an NFL player. Claiborne was one of the many LSU defensive backs to make it into the NFL. The 2011 Jim Thorpe Award for best defensive back in the nation entered the NFL Draft as a prospective first round talent. However, he made the news for his brutally low score of four on the traditional NFL Combine test. Even so, that didn't scare away the Dallas Cowboys to trade up to select him with the sixth overall pick. Claiborne didn't light it up in the NFL, but he proved to be a consistently adequate cornerback. While his score was low, Claiborne has the last laugh: he's a Super Bowl Champion with the Kansas City Chiefs.

1. Darren Davis (4)

Darren Davis has the worst Wonderlic score, and went undrafted in 1999.
Darren Davis has the worst Wonderlic score, and went undrafted in 1999. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Darren Davis was an electric running back at Iowa State. Through his four years as a member of the Cyclones' football program, Davis rushed for a grand total of 3,763 yards and 26 touchdowns. However, his stats didn't impress NFL organizations. It didn't help that he scored a four on the Wonderlic. Davis went onto play for the Canadian Football League for four years, but it never panned out.