2006 NFL Combine small school invitees
The NFL combine can usually make or break you. For D-I guys it could mean dropping from Round 1-2 or from 2-3, but for small school guys it can constitute not getting drafted at all. They simply HAVE TO perform good. Two good examples are last years back-to-back 2nd round picks, DB Ronald Bartell (Howard) and DB Nick Collins (Bethune-Cookman), both guys really stuck-out at the 2005 NFL Combine. Another player that I like to mention is 2002 KC 4th rounder: FB Omar Easy (Penn State). Here’s a kid that had raw talent and not great college experience. He gained over 600 career yards as a RB at Penn State, so his stats alone weren’t jaw-dropping. But, he was a hard-worker with skills and his Offensive MVP honor in the Blue-Grey game paired with his eye-opening showing in the NFL combine pretty much made KC aware of how good he could be. And, he’s still around, albeit with Oakland.
UPDATE March 1st: Now that the 2006 NFL Combine has ended, here are some of the top performers as well as an update on how the small school guys did.
WR Chris Jackson FSU: Wowed scouts with a combine best for receivers 4.32/40.
CB Johnathan Joseph South Carolina: Raised his stock with a strong showing, including a 4.31/40.
CB Ty Hill Clemson: Lead the combine with a 4.30/40.
Safety Michael Huff Texas: Moved around very well, ran a 4.34/40.
LB Ernie Sims FSU: Opened eyes with his agility and an impressive 4.46/40.
LB AJ Hawk Ohio State: Was quick and agile, also posted a 40" VJ.
TE Vernon Davis Maryland: At almost 255lbs he ran a shocking 4.38/40.
C Nick Mangold Ohio St: Had a strong combine, raised some eyebrows (5.05/40)
OT Daryn Colledge Boise State: May have benifitted the most out of any OL. (5.04/40, 32.5"VJ)
DT Mike Kadula Ohio State: Tied the combine lift record with 225lb 45x.
DB Jason Allen Tennessee: Was amongst the tops in every categoryfor DBs. (4.39/40, 3.81 s-shuttle)
Here are the small school players in the 2006 NFL Combine.