With the NFL Combine set to start Tuesday morning inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the NFL released a list of players from virtually every conference and level of college football. As of this writing, quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, as well as Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, are expected to participate fully, though that may change.
On field workouts won’t begin until Friday with the specialists, offensive linemen and tight ends taking the field first.
You can look at the full list here.
The SEC leads the way with 38 invitations and Alabama sending a conference-leading 11 players from the national championship runner-up squad including Heisman Trophy finalist Amari Cooper. Tennessee would win the prize for the lowest number of players invited with one (CB Justin Coleman), but Vanderbilt did not send a single player to the combine.
Florida State’s 12 players invited is the most of any school, with Winston and cornerback P.J. Williams headlining that group. Of all the NCAA Playoff final four teams, Ohio State sends the fewest to the combine with just four players, but half of them, defensive tackle Michael Bennett and wide receiver Devin Smith, are expected to go in the first two rounds.
The combine is the first chance for a national audience, let alone coaches and scouts to get a look at players from smaller schools and none will come from a smaller place than Division III Hobart & William Smith College in Geneva, N.Y. who sends 6-foot-4, 310-pound center Ali Marpet to the combine. Marpet helped the Statesmen finish 12-1 and make it to the semifinals of the DIII playoffs. Marpet turned eyes in the postseason and landed an invite to the Senior Bowl. He performed so well there now he’s in the combine. All from a school that, as a DIII, can’t offer athletic scholarships.
NCAA Division II sends a few of its best players to the combine, including 6-foot-o, 210 wideout Donatella Luckett from Harding University in Searcy, Ark. Luckett averaged 26.2 yards per catch and scored five touchdowns for the Bisons, but what has caught NFL scouts’ eyes is his success on the track team where he clocked a 10.44 100-meter dash time. Newberry College out of Newberry, S.C. sends 6-foot-4, 230-pound outside linebacker Edmond Robinson who led the team with 68 tackles, 7.5 for a loss, five pass break-ups and two forced fumbles last season.
The Ivy League even managed to get a couple of players invited, with Harvard 6-foot-3, 235-pound outside linebacker Zack Hodges joining Yale 5-foot-10, 227-pound fullback Tyler Varga in Indianapolis.
Once storied Notre Dame sends just three players to the combine and none with a high-round grade. Tight End Ben Koyack is a projected third rounder at best, but kicker Kyle Brindza is the No. 2 ranked kicker in the draft class. Which means he’ll get into a camp at least.
Packers cut Brandon Bostic
You’ve got to think that if he’d just down-blocked like he was supposed to on that onside kick in the NFC Championship game, tight end Brandon Bostik would still have a job today and probably a nice Super Bowl ring on its way in August. Instead, the 25-year-old out of the suddenly popular NFL feeder school Newberry College, will be a free agent after getting his walking papers Monday.
Bostic went to Twitter to convey his gratitude to the Packers and their fans.
Thankful To Spend The First 3 Years Of My Career In GB. Unfortunately My Time There Has Ended. I Appreciate The Support From Everyone In GB!
— Brandon Bostick (@Bostick11) February 16, 2015
Wilks is new assistant head coach in Carolina
The Panthers put a top 10 defense on the field for the last three seasons and made Monday rewarded one of the coaches that helped them build it. Steve Wilks, who has served as the secondary/passing game coordinator for the last two seasons, was promoted to assistant head coach.
Last year the Panthers were the No. 2-ranked defense in the league and No. 6 against the pass, helping them to their second-straight NFC South title and a playoff win over the Arizona Cardinals.
