Wonderlic NFL Test: Best and Worst Scores Ever

By  //  July 29, 2020

When it comes to the NFL, one of the many things that can make football fans go abuzz is a college or state college prodigy or fan-favorite making their attempt at the NFL draft and rise to stardom.

When it comes to the NFL, one of the many things that can make football fans go abuzz is a college or state college prodigy or fan-favorite making their attempt at the NFL draft and rise to stardom.

However, on top of having to tout their track record and physical prowess at the draft, candidates will also have to impress NFL teams and their respective recruiters with their Wonderlic test score.

Widely used as a reliable psychometric tool by many organizations and industries, the NFL utilizes the test as part of the NFL draft to measure the ‘intangible’ qualities of the aspiring athlete and give them a good idea if they have what it takes to be part of the team.

As a result, a lot of players, in addition to training physically, make good use of a Wonderlic practice test to make sure that they have an impressive score.

Why is this done, you may ask? It is because having a good Wonderlic score frequently equates to the athlete having exceptional decision-making skills.

Thus, it is very necessary for any aspiring athlete to make good use of a Wonderlic practice test.

NFL Wonderlic Top Scorers

As a result, a lot of players, in addition to training physically, make good use of a Wonderlic practice test to make sure that they have an impressive score.

Pat McInally (Punter) – Wonderlic Score: 50

If there’s going to be a list about NFL Wonder scores, you can be assured that the Cincinnati Bengals’ Pat McInally will be included.

This isn’t surprising considering that it is very rare for anyone, even talented and intelligent individuals, to score above 40, much less get a perfect score like what McInally did.

With his skill, he was able to become the first Harvard graduate to play in both the NFL Pro Bowl and Super Bowl in 1981.

Perhaps with a Wonderlic practice test, even you can get a perfect score, or at least get close to one.

Kevin Curtis (Wide Receiver) – Wonderlic Score: 48

Although he didn’t get a perfect score like McInally, Kevin Curtis of the St. Louis Rams has the honor of having been the first Wide Receiver in NFL history to get the highest Wonderlic test score in that particular position during that time.

Following his selection by the Rams in 2003 on the third round of the Draft, Curtis would then play in the NFL for eight seasons, racking up a total of 3,297 yards and performing 20 touchdowns and 253 catches.

Ben Watson (Tight End) – Wonderlic Score: 48

Like Curtis above, Ben Watson also received recognition for being the first Tight End to get the highest Wonderlic score for that particular position during his NFL Combine attempt. 

He would then be selected by the New England Patriots in the first round and receive his Super Bowl ring during his rookie year in Super Bowl XXXIX.

NFL Wonderlic Low Scorers

However, on top of having to tout their track record and physical prowess at the draft, candidates will also have to impress NFL teams and their respective recruiters with their Wonderlic test score.

Oscar Davenport (Quarterback) – Wonderlic Score: 6

Davenport is seen by a lot of people as a precautionary tale as to why aspiring athletes should do well in the NFL Wonderlic test.

Despite being an average player, some analysts believe that he would at least be a late-to-last round pick. He then scored a 6 on his test. 

Perhaps if he only trained a little better and got a better score by taking a Wonderlic practice test, he may have been drafted by a team.

Ed Prather (Quarterback) – Wonderlic Score: 5

Although Prather had an above-average football career during his stint in Mississippi State, he was known to make bad decision-making skills out on the field.

When he took the Wonderlic test, his low score of 5 did not go unnoticed, and scouts and NFL general managers took this as proof that he would not be a good pick at all, causing him to go undrafted.

While we don’t have any information on if Prather prepared at all or used a Wonderlic practice test but failed to get a good score nevertheless, if your performance is that abysmal, don’t expect to be drafted.

Morris Claiborne (Cornerback) – Wonderlic Score: 4

With every rule, there is an exception, and in the case of Wonderlic test scores and performance, Claiborne is definitely the exception.

Although many were surprised to see just how low his Wonderlic score was, Claiborne was already an exceptional athlete in high school and college, Wonderlic practice test be damned

Claiborne would blaze through his NFL career with 265 tackles and 7 interceptions.

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