Statistical Stars
These players were among the top players in FBS in key statistical categories.
Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State: During a 1,318-yard receiving year, Butler averaged a whopping 21.97 yards per catch, third-best in FBS. He had 10 catches of at least 40 yards.
Ben Burr-Kirven, LB, Washington: Burr-Kirven led FBS with 176 tackles and was third nationally at 12.6 tackles per game.
Darrel Henderson, RB, Memphis: His 1,909 rushing yards were second-most in FBS, behind only Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor (2,194). Henderson averaged 8.9 yards per attempt.
Gardner Minshew, QB, Washington State: In his first and only year with the Cougars, Minshew led FBS in passing yards per game (367.6) and total completions (468) and attempts (662).
Sutton Smith, DE, Northern Illinois: As a junior, his 15 sacks were third-most in FBS. Smith had 58 tackles for lost yardage (including 30 sacks) in 39 games.
One-Year Wonders
Several players had to wait their turn because they had a future NFL player in front of them or they didn’t develop quickly. They hope one year of production turns into an NFL opportunity.
Miles Boykin, WR, Notre Dame: A big body (6-foot-4, 228 pounds), Boykin had only 18 catches in his first two seasons before 59 catches for 872 yards (three 100-yard games) and eight touchdowns as a fourth-year junior.
Jamal Custis, WR, Syracuse: The 23-year old Custis (6-5, 213) battled injuries throughout his career (13 catches in three years), but had 51 receptions for 906 yards and six touchdowns in 2018.
Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State: Haskins redshirted in 2016 and was the back-up in ‘17. But once he started to play, he started to produce … and never stopped. His 50 touchdown passes and 4,831 passing yards were Big Ten records.
Elijah Holyfield, RB, Georgia: Teams should be intrigued by Evander Holyfield’s son because he had only 215 carries in three seasons. He carried only 56 times in 2016-17 before the departures of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel created playing time (159 carries-1,018 yards-seven touchdowns).
Byron Murphy, CB, Washington: A third-year sophomore, he missed seven games (foot) in 2017. In his only full year, he was second-team All-America with four interceptions and 17 pass break-ups.
Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma: In his fourth year of college and at his second school, Murray won the Heisman Trophy (combined 54 rushing/passing touchdowns).
Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia: A younger brother of 2018 first-round pick Calvin Ridley, Riley had 26 catches and four touchdowns in his first two years before 44 catches for 570 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior.
Irv Smith, TE, Alabama: Smith had 14 catches in his first 23 games for the Crimson Tide, but had at least one catch in all 15 games of 2018, finishing with 44 for 710 and seven touchdowns.
They Have A Ton Of Experience
Sure, a lot of the underclassmen will get attention this week, but just as many fourth- and fifth-year seniors will merit consideration because of their large body of work.
Otaro Alaka, LB, Texas A&M: In 53 games, Alaka finished his career with 38 consecutive starts and totaled 276 tackles and 11 1/2 sacks.
Deandre Baker, CB Georgia: Expected to be a first round pick, Baker played 51 games (34 starts) and had 116 tackles, seven interceptions and 25 pass break-ups.
Beau Benzschawel, G, Wisconsin: A two-time first-team All-America, Benzschawel started 49 games for the Badgers, including 47 at right guard.
Jonathan Crawford, S, Indiana: One of the first two Hoosiers to make 50 career starts. Crawford (6-2/203) had 275 tackles, nine interceptions and seven fumble recoveries.
Michael Deiter, G/C/T, Wisconsin: A second-team All-America in 2018, Deiter started all 54 games of his career — 24 at left guard, 16 at center and 14 at left tackle.
Ross PIerschbacher, G/C, Alabama: Among his 57 starts were four appearances in the national championship game. He started two years each at left guard and center.
Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State: A native of Wiggins, Colo., Risner started all 50 of his games — 13 at center and the final 37 at right tackle.
Brett Rypien, QB, Boise State: A starter for most of his four years, Rypien had 1,618 pass attempts and finished as the Mountain West Conference career passing leader (13,581 yards).
Clayton Thorson, QB, Northwestern: The first quarterback in school history to start four season openers, Thorson played in 53 games and finished with 10,731 yards, 61 touchdowns and 45 interceptions.
Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson: The all-time leader in snaps played by a Clemson player, he started four years at left tackle and was first-team All-America in 2018.
Little Guys
Despite being shorter and lighter than average, these players were terrific in college. Can they overcome the size odds in the NFL?
Hamp Cheevers, CB, Boston College (5-foot-10, 165 pounds): Cheevers was a third-team All-America selection whose seven interceptions were tied for the FBS lead.
Ryan Davis, WR, Auburn (5-9, 185): He totaled 178 catches in his final three years, but did not have a 100-yard game or a touchdown in 2018.
Greg Dortch, WR/PR/KR, Wake Forest (5-9, 170): As a third-year sophomore, he had 89 catches in 2018 and also averaged 11 yards per punt return and 20.9 per kick return.
Mecole Hardman, WR/PR/KR, Georgia (5-11, 183): Eleven of his 59 career catches were touchdowns and he had career averages of 15.2 yards on punt returns and 25 on kick returns.
Andy Isabella, WR, Massachusetts (5-9, 188): He led FBS with 1,698 yards receiving as a senior and finished with 231 career catches (30 touchdowns).
Devin Singletary, RB, Florida Atlantic (5-9, 200): Singletary carried 714 times in three years for the Owls (4,289 yards).
Concerning Injury History
The medical check is a key component of the Combine progress. Some of these players may be back in Indianapolis before the draft for a re-check.
Bryson Allen-Williams, LB, South Carolina: A veteran of 49 games, but he was limited to only 12 appearances in 2017-18 because of shoulder and ankle issues.
Azeez Al-Shaair, LB, Florida Atlantic: Al-Shaair entered 2018 with seasons of 94, 113 and 147 tackles on his resume, but he tore his ACL in mid-October.
Rodney Anderson, RB, Oklahoma: Anderson was healthy for only one of his four years at OU (18 games). He injured his leg in 2015, neck in ’16 and knee in ’18.
Felton Davis, WR, Michigan State: Davis had 776 yards receiving as a junior, but played only seven games in ’18 because of a torn Achilles.
Jamel Dean, CB, Auburn: Multiple knee injuries at Ohio State forced that program to declare him medically ineligible. He transferred to Auburn and played two full years.
Joe Giles-Harris, LB, Duke: He entered ’18 after seasons of 107 and 125 tackles. He made 80 stops as a junior but a torn MCL kept him out of the final four games.
Porter Gustin, OLB/DE, USC: Gustin played only 10 games over his final two years for the Trojans. He was limited to six games in ’18 because of an ankle injury.
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi: Metcalf could be a first-round pick despite playing only 21 games. He broke his foot as a freshman and sustained a neck injury as a junior.
What Exactly Happened?
During the 15-minute interviews teams have with prospects, questions about their background will be asked … and they’ll expect forthcoming explanations.
Dakota Allen, LB, Texas Tech: Kicked off team in spring 2016 for his role in a residential break-in and theft of a gun safe. Returned to Texas Tech for 2017-18 and had 175 tackles.
Jonathan Ledbetter, DE, Georgia: Ledbetter was suspended six games in 2016 after arrests for a fake ID (charges dismissed) and DUI.
Tyler Roemer, OT, San Diego State: A second-team league selection as a freshman in 2018, his streak of 23 consecutive starts ended late in ’18 when he was suspended for unreported reasons.
Jordan Scarlett, RB, Florida: Along with several Gators teammates, Scarlett was suspended for all of 2017 because of a credit card fraud fiasco.
Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU: Before he was a team captain in 2018, he was arrested for theft, sat out 2016 season and was suspended three other times.
Gerald Willis, DT, Miami (Fla.): Willis started his career at Florida but was kicked off the team for fighting a teammate over stolen shoes. He also sat out 2017 at Miami for undisclosed reasons.
Evan Worthington, S, Colorado: The Aurora native and Cherokee Trail alum sat out 2016 for violating team rules.
Team Well Traveled
Some players took a winding path to the Scouting Combine that included multiple colleges or even multiple junior colleges.
Marquise Blair, S, Utah: Planned to attend Syracuse, but ended up at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College when the NCAA rejected an online math credit. For the Utes in 2018, Blair was first-team All-America.
Byron Cowart, DE, Maryland: The nation’s top high school defensive player in 2015, he played two years at Auburn, attended Hillsborough (Fla.) CC in 2017 (no football) and then played one year at Maryland.
Anthony Johnson, WR, Buffalo: He played one year apiece at Butler Co. (Kan.) CC and Iowa Western CC. After he sat out 2016 at Buffalo because of back and hamstring injuries, he caught 133 passes in two years for the Bulls.
Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M: Played one year apiece at Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma A&M before landing at Texas A&M and catching 10 touchdown passes in his only season for the Aggies.
Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn: Started three games as a true freshman for Baylor. Transferred to McLennan (Texas) CC for the fall semester of 2016 (did not play). He played 27 games over two years for Auburn (36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions).
