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Julius Thomas Workout
TE Julius Thomas - Portland St.
The small college contingent of pro prospects is well represented at the NFL Combine 2011 with a few TE players showing fine athleticism. Julius Thomas of Portland St. had a fine workout that helped his cause in his first action on a big stage. Thomas played only one season of football after a basketball career and is one of the rising sleepers at the position. He came in at 6045 and 246 lbs. while showing soft hands and fine body control in the receiving drills. He ran a sub 4.7 time with a 35.5" vertical leap that placed him among the top TE prospects. He has solidified a middle round grade currently.
Here are Thomas's marks among TE at the NFL Combine
40-yard dash: 4.68 seconds, 6th
Broad jump: 9'3", 11th
Vertical jump: 35'5", 5th
3-cone drill: 6.96 seconds, 7th
20-yard shuttle: 4.31 seconds, 8th
60-yard shuttle: 11.95 seconds, 8th
Bench press: 16 reps at 225 pounds, 15th
TE Julius Thomas - Senior Season • 2010
Played in all 11 games for the Vikings in his first football action since his freshman year in high school… caught 29 passes for 453 yards and two touchdowns in a run-heavy offense… named first team All-Big Sky Conference at the end of the season…
NFL Combine Player Invitation List
An updated list by position
Photo - DE Allen Bailey - Miami
Players listed by Position
Player / School
Offensive Players
Quarterbacks (18)
Ryan Colburn - Fresno St
Andy Dalton - TCU
Pat Devlin - Delaware
Nathan Enderle - Idaho
* Blaine Gabbert - Missouri
Colin Kaepernick - Nevada
Jerrod Johnson - Texas A&M
Jake Locker - Washington
* Ryan Mallett - Arkansas
Greg McElroy - Alabama
* Cam Newton - Auburn
Christian Ponder - Florida St
Josh Portis - California (Pa)
Ricky Stanzi - Iowa
Tyrod Taylor - Virginia Tech
Scott Tolzien - Wisconsin
Jeff Van Camp - Florida Atlantic
T.J. Yates - North Carolina
Running Backs (34)
Anthony Allen - Georgia Tech
Armando Allen - Notre Dame
Matt Asiata - Utah
Damien Berry - Miami
Allen Bradford - Southern Cal
Delone Carter - Syracuse
* John Clay - Wisconsin
Graig Cooper - Miami
Noel Devine - West Virginia
Shaun Draughn - North Carolina
* Darren Evans - Virginia Tech
Mario Fannin - Auburn
Alex Green - Hawaii
* Jamie Harper - Clemson
Roy Helu - Nebraska
Kendall Hunter - Oklahoma St
* Mark Ingram - Alabama
* Taiwan Jones - Eastern Washington
* Mikel LeShoure - Illinois
* Dion Lewis - Pittsburgh
Derrick Locke - Kentucky
DeMarco Murray - Oklahoma
Bilal Powell - Louisville
* Stephen Ridley - LSU
* Jacquizz Rodgers - Oregon St
Evan Royster - Penn St
Brandon Saine - Ohio St
Da'rel Scott - Maryland
Daniel Thomas - Kansas St
* Jordan Todman - UConn
Vai Tuau - Nevada
* Shane Vereen - California
Johnny White - North Carolina
* Ryan Williams - Virginia Tech
Fullbacks (6)
Shaun Chapas - Georgia
Charles Clay, Tulsa
Stanley Havili - Southern Cal
* Henry Hynoski - Pittsburgh
Owen Marecic - Stanford
Anthony Sherman - UConn
Wide Receivers (45)
* Darvin Adams - Auburn
* Jon Baldwin - Pittsburgh
Armon Binns - Cincinnati
* DeAndre Brown - Southern Miss
Vincent Brown - San Diego St
Stephen Burton - West Texas A&M
* Randall Cobb - Kentucky
Mark Dell - Michigan St
* Tandon Doss - Indiana
Edmond Gates - Abilene Christian
* A.J. Green - Georgia
* Tori Gurley - South Carolina
* Jamel Hamler - Fresno St
Leonard Hankerson - Miami
Dwayne Harris - East Carolina
Andre Holmes - Hillsdale (Mi)
Lester Jean - Florida Atlantic
Jerrel Jernigan - Troy (Al)
Ronald Johnson - Southern Cal
* Julio Jones - Alabama
Jeremy Kerley - TCU
* Greg Little - North Carolina
Ricardo Lockette - Fort Valley St (Ga)
Jeff Maehl - Oregon
Denarius Moore - Tennessee
Joe Morgan - Walsh (Oh)
O.J. Murdock - Fort Hays St (Ks)
Jamar Newsome - Central Florida
Niles Paul - Nebraska
Austin Pettis - Boise St
Aldrick Robinson - SMU
Greg Salas - Hawaii
DeMarco Sampson - San Diego St
Jock Sanders - West Virginia
Dane Sansenbacher - Ohio St
Cecil Shorts - Mount Union (Oh)
Keith Smith - Purdue
* Torrey Smith - Maryland
Owen Spencer - North Carolina St
Terrence Tolliver - LSU
Terrance Turner - Indiana
Ryan Whalen - Stanford
Marshall Williams - Wake Forest
Jimmy Young - TCU
Titus Young - Boise St
Tight Ends (17)
Jordan Cameron - Southern Cal
Charlie Gantt - Michigan St
Cam Graham - Louisville
Virgil Green - Nevada
Daniel Hardy - Idaho
Robert Housler - Florida Atlantic
Lance Kendricks - Wisconsin
Mike McNeill - Nebraska
Schuylar Oordt - Northern Iowa
Zach Pianalto - North Carolina
Allen Reisner - Iowa
* Kyle Rudolph - Notre Dame
* Weslye Saunders - South Carolina
Lee Smith - Marshall
Luke Stocker - Tennessee
Julius Thomas - Portland St
D.J. Williams - Arkansas
Offensive Tackles (30)
David Arkin - Missouri St
Joe Barksdale - LSU
Clint Boling - Georgia
James Brewer - Indiana
Marcus Cannon - TCU
Gabe Carimi - Wisconsin
James Carpenter - Alabama
Anthony Castonzo - Boston College
Garrett Chisolm - South Carolina
Josh Davis - Georgia
Ray Dominquez - Arkansas
Orlando Franklin - Miami
Marcus Gilbert - Florida
Adam Grant - Arizona
Chris Hairston - Clemson
Kyle Hix - Texas
Kevin Hughes - SE Louisiana
Ben Ijalana - Villanova (Pa)
Jarriel King - South Carolina
Richard Lapham - Boston College
Demarcus Love - Arkansas
Derek Newton - Arkansas St
Jason Pinkston - Pittsburgh
Will Rackley - Lehigh (Pa)
Jah Reid - Central Florida
Derek Sherrod - Mississippi St
* Tyron Smith - Southern Cal
Willie Smith - East Carolina
Nate Solder - Colorado
Lee Ziemba - Auburn
Offensive Guards (16)
Justin Boren - Ohio St
Ricky Henry - Nebraska
Rodney Hudson - Florida St
Zach Hurd - UConn
Maurice Hurt - Florida
Andrew Jackson - Fresno St
Carl Johnson - Florida
Dan Kilgore - Appalachian St
John Moffitt - Wisconsin
Mike Person - Montana St
Steve Schilling - Michigan
Caleb Schlauderaff - Utah
Isaiah Thompson - Houston
Julian Vandervelde - Iowa
Danny Watkins - Baylor
Keith Williams - Nebraska
Centers (10)
Ryan Barthlomew - Syracuse
Brandon Fusco - Slippery Rock (Pa)
Jason Kelce - Cincinnati
Jake Kirkpatrick - TCU
Alex Linnenkohl - Oregon St
Kris O'Dowd - Southern Cal
Mike Pouncey - Florida
Zane Taylor - Utah
Zack Williams - Washington St
Stefan Wisniewski - Penn St
For Defensive Players @ NFL Combine 2011 go to Next Page
Top 100 Pro Prospects
February - Pre NFL Combine -
* Declared Underclassmen
Photo - Marcel Dareus - Alabama
Prospect - Pos / Ht / Wt / School
1. * A.J. Green - WR - 6’4” 220 - Georgia
2. * Nick Fairley - DT - 6’5” 300 - Auburn
3. * Da'Quan Bowers - DE - 6’4” 280 - Clemson
4. * Patrick Peterson - CB - 6’1” 195 - LSU
5. Von Miller - LB - 6’3″ 245 - Texas A&M
6. Prince Amukamara - CB - 6’0″ 210 - Nebraska
7. Adrian Clayborn - DE - 6’3″ 290 - Iowa
8. * Julio Jones - WR - 6’1” 210 - Alabama
9. * Marcel Dareus - DE - 6’4” 300 - Alabama
10. * Blaine Gabbert - QB - 6’5” 240 - Missouri
11. Anthony Castonzo - OT - 6’7″ 305 - Boston College
12. Cameron Jordan - DE - 6’4″ 285 - California
13. Jake Locker - QB - 6’2” 230 - Washington
14. Nate Solder - OT - 6’8″ 315 - Colorado
15. * Cam Newton - QB - 6’6” 245 - Auburn
16. Ryan Kerrigan - DE - 6’4″ 265 - Purdue
17. * Robert Quinn - DE - 6’5” 270 - North Carolina
18. * Mark Ingram - RB - 5’10” 225 - Alabama
19. * Ryan Mallett - QB - 6’6” 245 - Arkansas
20. Cameron Heyward - DE - 6’5″ 280 - Ohio St
21. Jeremy Beal - DE - 6’3″ 265 - Oklahoma
22. * Aldon Smith - DE/LB - 6’5” 245 - Missouri
23. * Tyron Smith - OT - 6’5” 290 - Southern Cal
24. * J.J. Watt - DE - 6’6” 280 - Wisconsin
25. * Corey Liuget - DT - 6’3” 300 - Illinois
26. * Brandon Harris - CB - 5’10” 195 - Miami
27. Stephen Paea - DT - 6’1″ 310 - Oregon St
28. Mike Pouncey - OC - 6’5″ 310 - Florida
29. * Justin Houston - LB - 6’2” 255 - Georgia
30. Drake Nevis - DT - 6’1” 290 - LSU
31. * Jon Baldwin - WR - 6’5” 225 - Pittsburgh
32. Gabe Carimi - OT - 6’7” 315 - Wisconsin
33. Allen Bailey - DE - 6’3” 280 - Miami
34. * Torrey Smith - WR - 6’1” 205 - Maryland
35. Derek Sherrod - OT - 6’5″ 310 - Mississippi St
36. Christian Ballard - DL - 6’4” 290 - Iowa
37. Sam Acho - LB - 6’2″ 255 - Texas
38. Jimmy Smith - CB - 6’1″ 200 - Colorado
39. * Akeem Ayers - LB - 6’4” 255 - UCLA
40. Curtis Brown - CB - 6’0″ 185 - Texas
41. * Marvin Austin - DT - 6’2” 315 - North Carolina
42. * Kyle Rudolph - TE - 6’5” 260 - Notre Dame
43. * Rahim Moore - S - 6’1” 210 - UCLA
44. * Mikel Leshoure - RB - 5’11” 200 - Illinois
45. * Aaron Williams - CB - 6’ 195 - Texas
46. * Ryan Williams - RB - 5’11” 210 - Virginia Tech
47. Stefen Wisniewski - OC - 6’2″ 290 - Penn St
48. Davon House - CB - 6’ 190 - New Mexico St
49. Bruce Carter - LB - 6’3″ 235 - North Carolina
50. Christian Ponder - QB - 6’2″ 220 - Florida St
February Newsletter over 15 pgs - Available Now - Three Round Mock Draft, Top 150 Pro Prospects, NFL Draft Buzz, Underclassmen and Small College Pro Prospects / Special All-Star Game Reports - Order Today
51. * Shane Vereen - RB - 5’10” 205 - California
52. Leonard Hankerson - WR - 6’3” 215 - Miami
53. Deunta Williams - S - 6’1” 210 - North Carolina
54. Phil Taylor - DT - 6’4″ 335 - Baylor
55. * Brandon Burton - CB - 6’1” 190 - Utah
56. Jarvis Jenkins - DT - 6’4” 310 - Clemson
57. * Randall Cobb - WR - 5’10” 190 - Kentucky
58. * Muhammad Wilkerson - DT - 6’4” 310 - Temple
59. Johnny Patrick - CB - 5’11″ 185 - Louisville
60. * Matrez Wilson - LB - 6’1” 245 - Illinois
61. Benjamin Ijalana - OT - 6’4” 310 - Villanova (Pa.)
62. Titus Young - WR - 5’11” 175 - Boise St
63. Quan Sturdivant - LB - 6’2” 230 - North Carolina
64. DeAndre McDaniel - S - 6’0″ 220 - Clemson
65. Ras-I Dowling - CB - 6’1” 200 - Virginia
66. Quinton Carter - S - 6’1″ 210 - Oklahoma
67. Mark Herzlich - LB - 6’4″ 250 - Boston College
68. * Greg Little - WR - 6’3″ 210 - North Carolina
69. Jerrel Jernigan - WR - 5’9″ 185 - Troy
70. Mason Foster - LB - 6’1” 240 - Washington
71. Jabaal Sheard - DE - 6’4” 255 - Pittsburgh
72. Kendall Hunter - RB - 5’8″ 200 - Oklahoma St
73. Jason Pinkston - OT - 6’3” 315 - Pittsburgh
74. Kelvin Sheppard - LB - 6’2” 250 - LSU
75. James Brewer - OT - 6’6” 320 - Indiana
76. Danny Watkins - OL - 6’3” 310 - Baylor
77. Kenrick Ellis - DT - 6’4” 340 - Hampton U (Va.)
78. Orlando Franklin - OT - 6’6” 320 - Miami (Fl)
79. Shareece Wright - CB - 5’11” 185 - USC
80. Colin McCarthy - LB - 6’1” 235 - Miami
81. DeMarco Murray - RB - 6’1″ 215 - Oklahoma
82. Rodney Hudson - OC - 6’2” 290 - Florida St
83. * Tandon Doss - WR - 6’2” 190 - Indiana
84. K.J. Wright - LB - 6’3″ 245 - Mississippi St
85. D.J Williams - TE - 6’2″ 245 - Arkansas
86. Casey Matthews - LB - 6’1″ 230 - Oregon
87. * Jurrell Casey - DT - 6’ 300 - Southern Cal
88. Colin Kaepernick - QB - 6’5″ 225 - Nevada
89. James Carpenter - OT - 6’5” 310 - Alabama
90. Pernell McPhee - DE - 6’3” 275 - Mississippi St
91. Greg Jones - LB - 6’ 240 - Michigan St
92. * Jordan Todman - RB - 5’9” 195 - UConn
93. Lance Kendricks - TE - 6’3” 240 - Wisconsin
94. Ahmad Black - S - 5’9″ 190 - Florida
95 Denarius Moore - WR - 6’1” 190 - Tennessee
96. Marcus Cannon - OG - 6’5″ 350 - TCU
97. Kendric Burney - CB - 5’9″ 180 - North Carolina
98. Luke Stocker - TE - 6’5″ 255 - Tennessee
99. Sione Fua - DT - 6’2” 310 - Stanford
100. Dontay Moch - LB - 6’2” 230 - Nevada
Rising NFL Draft Pro Prospect – Kendall Hunter Scouting Report
Photo - RB Kendal Hunter - Oklahoma St
One skilled position player we have scouted often over the past few seasons is running back Kendall Hunter of Oklahoma St. This past fall he returned from a 2009 injury that left his pro potential uncertain entering his final season. He had an excellent 2010 season, in addition to performing very well at the Senior Bowl 2011. He helped his cause significantly and is prepared for a strong performance at the NFL Combine where his speed number and positional drills, in addition to his medical exam will have along way in determining his final draft status. We intend to interview him and post it on the web site.
The February Newsletter will have all the All-star action, + Three Round Mock Draft, Top 150 Pro Prospects, NFL Draft Buzz, Underclassmen and Small College Pro Prospects reports – FREE NFL Combine Update available this week - Order Today
Kendall Hunter #24 - 5’7” 199 lbs. - Oklahoma St. -
Hindu Theory - Ahmad Bradshaw
Quick powerful tailback completed a strong late career, displaying the skill set to develop into an NFL running back. Kendall is a compact runner who fits the change of pace back type role and probably additional duties for the pro game. He is a powerful compact tailback who shows quick footwork through the hole to pick and slide and create running lanes. He is a strong runner built low to the ground who hits the hole with authority and has the ability to make yardage after contact. He is one of the more unheralded prospects in this good class who displays excellent initial quickness that gets him through the line of scrimmage. He has the ability to make good running decisions with fine cutting skills to change directions and hide behind big linemen. He shows the quickness and natural running ability to get outside and make yardage on the perimeter with good speed to break a big play. He needs development as a receiver to compete for a third down role, but he has the makeup to fill that position in time. As a runner, he shows the ability to cut back sharply and make a key run with the quick acceleration to get through the hole to get the 2nd level. He shows the power and toughness to run between the tackles to make the difficult yardage with the ability to string a few moves together. He shows fine vision, balance and the ability to make defenders miss and run through them regularly. He makes consistently good running decisions with the burst of speed to get through the hole and become a battering ram with his crouched style of running. He runs with good body lean and is basically a pick and slide type of runner with the power to break tackles and finish his runs well. His durability is a concern after an injury riddled 2009 season, though his production over his entire career has been outstanding.
The Numbers: As a senior, he rushed for 1548 yards on 271 carries for a 5.7 yard average and 16 TDs, playing in every game. He had some fumbling problems over his career with 8 overall and losing 6 fumbles. Over his final season, he lost 2 of 3 fumbles and is an area of concern for earning pro playing time. As a junior, he missed five games and rushed for only 382 yards on 89 carries, but had a strong finale in the Cotton bowl, rushing for 94 yards. As a sophomore, he rushed for 1555 yards and 16 TDs playing in every game. At the NFL Combine, he will face a critical medical exam, though it should verify what scouts already know about his current health.
The Skinny: He is elusive in the openfield and shows the ability to follow blockers and finish with a strong surge. As a blocker, he shows quick reactions and toughness to face up with a linebacker, but his marginal size and inexperience in the role leaves some critical questions. He must show the ability to perform that role which is vital if he is ever to win a starting or key backup role. His receiving skills are still raw and he needs reps in that area, though he shows the talent to continue to improve in that role. He has the natural running skills to surprise in camp and win a key role in an offense. He has the overall ability to be a good starter or terrific backup and move up the depth chart with experience. Good 2nd day selection with definite make it grade and the skill set to be a fine addition at a position where second tier prospects surprise every season in the NFL.
Draft Projection: 3rd Round
NFL Draft – QB Cam Newton Shines in Early Workout
Photo - Cam Newton - Auburn
Heisman Trophy winner, QB Cam Newton of Auburn held a private workout this week in front of the media and cameras prior to the NFL Combine. Newton worked out in shorts and did agility drills before throwing passes to a few receivers for almost 1 hour in San Diego. He has been in San Diego since late January, working six days a week with QB coach George Whitfield Jr. and personnel consultant Hall of Fame QB Warren Moon.
We viewed the film from Newton’s workout a few times and spoke to NFL scouts who watched the presentation and add our insight to the first stage of Cam Newton’s journey to the NFL Draft 2011.
George Whitfield has worked with many NFL passers that included working with the Steelers' QB Ben Roethlisberger during his four-game suspension. While Whitfield is Newton's coach, Moon described his role as a mentor. "But if I see something that I can help him improve on, I'm going to do that," Moon said.
Moon is an excellent mentor after having Pro bowl careers in both the NFL and Canadian Leagues and playing in each the spread and pro style offenses. That last transition is paramount if college passers expect to have success at the NFL level. Many college starters operate in various forms of the spread offense with little or no experience operating under center and learning all the nuances for the game’s most important position. This year Newton is one of several highly regarded prospects that face that critical conversion and working with Moon was an excellent decision for his draft status and move to the NFL. Newton started only one season at the D1 level after backing up at Florida and starting one season at the JC level at Blinn College. Though his 2010 performance was outstanding, he needs extensive work on the basic fundamentals for the position before challenging for an early NFL starting job.
Newton addressed some of these issue this week prior to the NFL Combine workout where the QB drills have clear and definite limits. Thursday’s workout was limited to a few drills and both operating under center and dropping back and throwing to receivers vs no defenders. Newton threw the ball sharply whether the Tigers to the BCS national title.
He made a strong showing related to his raw athletic talent and his capacity and ability to digest and make fast progress learning the finer points of the pro position. He worked in a controlled workout though, orchestrated by his QB coach George Whitfield. He took a good first step in this workout, though it is only a start in an offseason with several critical evaluation stages that become part of the whole scouting process.
There were no NFL scouts in attendance to view the results of the workout, but general managers, personnel directors, scouts and coaches have been impressed by the video footage that was available.
Newton has made nice progress in only weeks from the national title game. He needs to make the transition from operating in a spread offensive system to play in an NFL-style offense under center. The workout directed a series of drills that showcased his overall athleticism, throwing mechanics, field awareness and instincts.
During the individual drills, he displayed impressive athleticism, foot speed, agility and overall movement skills while executing a series of drops. For a huge athlete, he moves easily with the ability to quickly change direction and retain his fine speed. He looked very fluid executing a series of three, five and seven step drops. He also took snaps cleanly from center and showed excellent quickness setting up in the pocket
Asked if he was surprised analysts don't think his skills will translate to the NFL, he replied: "That's the competitor that I am. I won't be surprised -- I'm making that leap right now -- until I'm a Super Bowl champion. That's what I'm going for from day one, reaching for greatness. The supporting cast that I have is pushing me to be great, I'm pushing myself to be great and I demand greatness for myself. So coming in the door, working out every single day, I'm shooting for greatness."
As a passer, he showed exceptional arm strength, velocity and touch. During the series of drills, he showed the ability to make all the throws and go through the route tree with the ability to show power when necessary and touch when it was essential. He has the natural talent to continue to progress on making all the throws in a route tree with playing experience and settling into an offense.
During the session, Moon picked up a few things and told Newton.
"He wasn't transferring well," Moon said afterward. "He was throwing leaning backward. Even though he has a very strong arm, I don't care how strong of an arm you have, if you're not in the right throwing motion, you're not going to get good accuracy on the football, the ball is going to go high on you. As soon as he gets that weight transferred, he throws the ball as accurately as anyone you've been around."
Moon has not been at every session this winter, but Whitfield films every workout and sends it to him.
"I just see him improving," Moon said. "Every day he does something a little bit better than he did the day before, whether it's taking the snap from center or whether it's transferring his weight from dropping back to throwing the football. That's where he's making his biggest adjustment, to me, is being able to drop back, because that's something he's never had to do, and then transfer that weight forward to get velocity behind your throws and also to get accuracy."
Newton showed good anticipation to deliver the ball in open windows well during a series of read drills. He has a savvy understanding for throwing to receivers in open areas with the ability to deliver accurate passes in tight windows. He hit moving targets easily while his overall accuracy was very good while working from a conventional drop under center.
Newton needs to continue to work on his basic setup, reads and footwork prior to throwing the ball to convince NFL scouts he is ready for pro playing time. His ability to balance his body in the setup and his overall weight transfer and lower body needs further work. Surprisingly, he also needs to work on throwing on the move where his elite running skills make him a huge weapon, but has retarded his development passing outside the pocket.
“This whole transformation from the college level to the NFL is a big leap," he said. "But at the same time, you have to be mature enough to be able to work on your talent when nobody is looking. This is your profession, this is your job. And I have to come at it every single day trying to get better at what I do."
Newton is one of our ‘Wild Card’ prospects of the first round and his progress will probably determine the order that the top QBs come off the board. Remember Tim Tebow struggled greatly at the Senior Bowl 2009, but had a strong workout portion of the process that moved into the late first round by the Broncos. Newton gets no All-star action as a junior and his workouts and interviews will be the final part of his scouting evaluation. He is much more advanced on his throwing mechanics than Tebow was at this time last winter.
I currently rank Newton in the middle of the first round in a fluid process with a few essential step remaining that should have a huge impact on how the early rounds fall out in the NFL Draft 2011.
SEC Heads NFL Combine Invitation List
The Southeastern Conference leads the nation with 40 total players invited to participate in the NFL Combine from Feb 24th thru March 1st. In 2010, the SEC had 49 players selected in the NFL Draft, the most SEC players ever taken in the NFL Draft.
Photo - OL Mike Pouncey - Florida
Seven Florida Gators were invited to participate in NFL Combine. Seniors Ahmad Black, Marcus Gilbert, Chas Henry, Maurice Hurt, Carl Johnson and Mike Pouncey and junior Will Hill will all compete in the 2011 NFL Combine.
Florida and Georgia lead the SEC with seven player invitations, followed by LSU with six and South Carolina with five. No other school in the country received four invitations for offensive linemen.
UF has a nation's best seven first-round picks since 2007 and the Gators have had a first round pick in each of the last four NFL Drafts. Florida tied a school record with three first-round draft picks last year and led the nation with nine selections a year ago.
There were 329 invitations to the top prospects for the NFL Draft 2011. They will participate at the combine in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The event is a vital step in athletes playing in the NFL.
The NFL Combine can be followed on Draft Insiders.com and the NFL Network. Draft Insiders.com will have daily reports during the week long event. The entire NFL Combine Report will be available in March.
NFL Combine Invites by Team and Conference
SEC
Florida - 7
Georgia – 7
LSU - 6
S. Carolina - 5
Auburn – 4
Alabama – 3
Kentucky – 2
Ole Miss – 2
Arkansas – 2
Miss. State – 1
Tennessee – 1
Vanderbilt – 0
TOTAL = 40
Other Conferences
ACC – 39
Big 10 – 30
Big 12 – 26
Big East – 25
Pac 10 - 20
Frank Coyle writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He is also a member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards
All-Star Challenge Features Ryan Kerrigan
13th Annual Event Scheduled to Air on Feb. 4th from 7-9 p.m. ET on ESPN2
The 2011 All-Star Football Challenge will air from 7-9 p.m. ET Feb. 4 on ESPN2. The 13th annual program showcases 12 college football standouts competing in a live skills challenge. The ESPN broadcast team includes Bob Davie and Mark Jones.
Photo – DE Ryan Kerrigan - Purdue
The All-Star Football Challenge is an award-winning sports television event. Alumni of the All-Star Football Challenge include 38 first-round NFL draft picks and three Heisman Trophy winners (Ron Dayne, Troy Smith and Jason White). Additionally, Super Bowl XLV participants Aaron Rodgers, Rashard Mendenhall and Antwaan Randle El are alumni of the 2005, 2008 and 2002 All-Star Football Challenges, respectively.
The 2011 All-Star Football Challenge competitors include:
Quarterbacks:
Andy Dalton, TCU
Jake Locker, Washington
Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
Running Backs/Wide Receivers:
Julio Jones, Alabama
Austin Pettis, Boise State
Jordan Todman, Connecticut
Monthly Newsletters over 12 pgs+. - Three Round Mock Draft, Top 150 Pro Prospects, NFL Draft Buzz, Underclassmen and Small College Pro Prospects / Special NFL Free Agency Reports - Order Today
Linebackers:
Ross Homan, Ohio State
Von Miller, Texas A&M
Kelvin Sheppard, LSU
Defensive Linemen:
Sam Acho, Texas
Nick Fairley, Auburn
Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
Nine of the competitors are ranked in the Draft Insiders' Top 100 draft rankings while at least 6 of the Pro Prospects currently carry a first round grade in recent newsletter.
The individual skills challenges are: QB Accuracy Competition, Wide Receiver Hands Competition, U.S. Marines LB Obstacle Course and the Lineman Strength Challenge. Participants will then be divided into Offensive and Defensive Team Competitions. To conclude the program, the players will be divided into two teams for a final Full Team Competition.
