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49ers News: Can De’Zhaun Stribling’s Judgement Index predict NFL success?
TL;DR
De’Zhaun Stribling scored a remarkable 968 on the Judgment Index, a test assessing decision-making and values, which the 49ers believe could predict his NFL success. This score is the highest recorded by the administrator, Smithmier.
Key points
- De’Zhaun Stribling scored 968 on the Judgment Index
- The Judgment Index assesses decision-making skills and values
- Smithmier has administered the test to Ole Miss players for three years
- A good score ranges from 875 to 950
- The 49ers see potential in Stribling based on his score
Mentioned in this story
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De’Zhaun Stribling
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: De'Zhaun Stribling #1 of the Ole Miss Rebels jumps over Adrian Maddox #14 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 49ers see something special in De’Zhaun Stribling. So does this little-known test (paywall)
“Smithmier, 71, has been administering something called a Judgment Index to Ole Miss players for the past three years. It’s not a personality test like Myers-Briggs or an intelligence test like the Wonderlic. Instead, it seeks to get inside a person’s head to shed light on things like their decision-making skills, their values and — here’s where it’s useful for football teams — any unrecognized weaknesses that might be holding them back.
“There’s something about a human that we tend to do better figuring out everything else than we are figuring out ourselves,” Smithmier said. “That’s often where the stumbling block is.”
Smithmier tested Stribling when he transferred to Ole Miss a year ago and was blown away by the results. A good Judgment Index score is considered anywhere from 875 to 950. On one portion of the test, Stribling (who agreed to share his results with The Athletic) scored a 968, the best Smithmier had ever seen.
According to Smithmier, the results suggest Stribling has high self-confidence, likes to be coached hard and won’t crack under pressure.
“And it’s likely that when (those with a score like Stribling’s) are under pressure — à la a wide receiver and it’s fourth-and-10, and we’ve got to have a first down — their performance will accelerate,” he said. “They tend to do better.
Q&A
What is the Judgment Index and how does it relate to NFL success?
The Judgment Index is a test designed to evaluate decision-making skills and personal values, which can help football teams identify potential weaknesses in players that may affect their performance.
What score did De’Zhaun Stribling achieve on the Judgment Index?
De’Zhaun Stribling scored a 968 on the Judgment Index, marking the highest score ever recorded by the test administrator, Smithmier.
Who administers the Judgment Index test to Ole Miss players?
The Judgment Index test has been administered to Ole Miss players by Smithmier, who has been conducting the test for the past three years.
Why is the Judgment Index considered valuable for NFL teams?
The Judgment Index is valuable for NFL teams as it provides insights into a player's decision-making abilities and unrecognized weaknesses, which are crucial for on-field performance.