It is probably the goal of every college football player that steps on to the playing field, getting an invitation to the NFL combine with a chance at someday playing in the NFL. With the college and pro football seasons now over, the attention turns to the combine to see what players will perform well enough to get drafted in Aprils 2012 NFL draft. Among the players invited to this years combine are several players who played their college ball right here in Arizona.
Players who complete their college eligibility are allowed to request an invite to the combine, which is held each year in Indianapolis, as soon as their final collegiate game is played. Once invited, players compete in different physical skills such as timed sprints, agility runs, vertical leaping, ball catching, throwing, blocking, etc to see what their bodies can withstand while being watched by NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers. Along with the drills, the players will undergo numerous physical measurements. In addition to the physical tests, teams will administer variations of intellegence and psychological exams as well as conduct interviews with potential draft selections.
This year the ASU Sun Devils have six players that have been invited to the combine. Headlining the group are a pair of juniors, Vontaze Burfict and Brock Osweiler. Both of these players are leaving for different reasons. Burfict, has had discipline problems since arriving in Tempe and the constant distraction has hurt his play on the field. For Vontaze, who is expectd to be a first round pick, now is the time to come out while his draft stock is still high. As far as Osweiler, weighing the risks of his draft stock dropping after possibly suffering through a senior season with a new head coach and offensive coordinator was just too much to leave to chance. He, like Burfict, has chosen to skip his senior season in a Devils uniform in favor of the NFL. Some scouts also see him as a potential late first round pick.
Joining Burfict and Osweiler in Indianapolis will be center Garth Gerhart, the younger brother of former standout running back from Stanford, Toby Gerhart who is now with the Minnesota Vikings. Also, joining the trio will be defensive back Omar Boldin who had great NFL potential before suffering a devastating knee injury his final season at ASU, and defensive lineman Jamaar Jarrett who never seemed to reach his full potential on the field in Tempe.
Continuing their competition with the Sun Devils will be three players from the University of Arizona in Tucson. The top player in this group is without a doubt quarterback Nick Foles, who appears to be the second best quarterback out of the PAC-12 following Stanford signal caller Andrew Luck. Foles has been projected by scouts as a mid first round pick. Along with Foles, other Wildcats going to Indy will be one of his favorite targets at wide receiver, Juron Criner and defensive back Trevin Wade. According to most reports, both Criner and Wade will need strong performances at the combine to get drafted.
The NFL combine can be both a very stressful and very exciting time for these young men hoping to make their dreams of NFL stardom come true. Fans in Arizona should be proud of these players and cheer them on as they compete in Indianapolis from February 22-28, 2012.
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