A select group of players from the NCAA receive the sought-after invitation to the NFL Combine. The event has happened every year when players head to Indianapolis since 1987. The Player Selection Committee strategically spearheads the process to broaden the scope for aspirants. This committee comprises representatives from various NFL player departments in order to evaluate eligible players. The evaluation helps the stakeholders to extend invitations based on a position-by-position assessment.

The objective of the Selection Committee is to invite everyone who can be potentially drafted in the upcoming NFL Draft. An array of schools have received over 10 invitations for the NFL Combine this year, with top numbers from the national title holders Michigan Wolverines.

Schools with 10+ NFL Combine Invites
Michigan – 19
Washington – 13
𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 – 𝟏𝟐
Texas – 11
Georgia – 11
Alabama – 10 pic.twitter.com/Fi0kdppHeb

— Clay Fink (@clay_fink) February 13, 2024

In totality, a number of players are invited to the NFL Combine which typically exceeds 300 per draft cycle. While there isn’t a fixed minimum for invitees, the aim remains to provide a platform for all brightest prospects who have NFL dreams.

Eligibility for Entering the NFL Combine

To be invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, players must meet specific eligibility criteria before being vetted by the Selection Committee. Moreover, there are currently three main eligibility criteria in place.  Each of these is designed to include a broad range of potential candidates. First, all college seniors are automatically eligible immediately after having achieved their final year of collegiate eligibility. Second, underclassmen who declare for the NFL Draft before the deadline and are deemed fit for NCAA and NFL requirements, are eligible.

Finally, any athlete who is not actively participating in college football may qualify under special circumstances. Moreover, they can enter in the draft year as they would naturally be eligible for if playing collegiately. It’s essential for players seeking eligibility under the third criterion to verify their status with the NFL‘s Player Personnel Department.

How to Get an Invitation?

Players who are eligible under the three conditions can secure an invitation to the NFL Combine after undergoing a rigorous selection process. The procedure is overseen by the Player Selection Committee also includes directors of the National and BLESTO Talent Organization. The committee members vote on every eligible player who should be invited. While the process has its own intricacies, it has provided the NFL with some of the most promising talents across the collegiate football landscape.

6 DAYS TILL THE @NFL COMBINE!!! pic.twitter.com/2zqV8D2Cdw

— The Giovanni Show Podcast (@GioThePodcaster) February 20, 2024

The next NFL Combine is set to happen at the Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, with its induction on Thursday, Feb. 29,  2024. Interested parties can view the thrilling activities on the LIVE coverage on NFL Network

The post How to Get Invited to the NFL Combine? appeared first on The SportsRush.

And certainly, every year some handpicked athletes often mesmerize, setting and breaking existing records. One such star who has made a new mark in the Scouting Combine this season is the Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

.@jaxon_smith1 had himself a DAY at the Combine.

: #NFLCombine continues today at 1pm ET on @nflnetwork
: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/lMR3VaYVEk

— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2023

The 21-year-old had been phenomenal during the Combine day drills. Despite opting out of the 40-yard dash, he stunned everyone with his explosive performance. Readers must note that the youngster was unavailable for most of the 2022 season owing to an injury; however, he made sure that he compensated for those missed chances by showing up for the drills.

Also Read: NFL Combine 2023: Top 5 Offensive-Linemen Who Failed to Meet Expectations at This Year’s Combine

Jaxon Smith-Njigba blitzes at the NFL Combine 2023

Fair to say, the wideout has improved his draft stock and is sure to go off the boards in the first round itself. He reinforced this notion by acing the 3-Cone Drill with an impressive time of 6.57 seconds, enlisting himself among the top 15 prospects since 2007.

Moreover, his 20-yard-shuttle time was 3.92 seconds, fourth best by a receiver in this period. While his decision to stay out of the 40-yard dash raised many eyebrows, the youngster will showcase his speed on Pro day.

Apart from agility, Smith poses great physical attributes to secure his first-round chances. He weighed 196 pounds and checked in with a standard height of 6-0 ½. Similarly, his nine-inch hands recorded an arm’s length of 30 1/2″ with a wing span of 75 1/2″, via SI.

Hence looking at all those statistics, it is quite possible teams having early picks will definitely give thought to considering this WR over anybody else.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba college stats

The Texas native happens to be an asset for the Buckeyes. Despite appearing for only three games last season, the wideout showcased a sensational performance. He scripted the Ohio State single-game record for most receiving yards (347) in the 2022 Rose Bowl. His single game record of 15 catches still remains an undisputed milestone.

Over the past three years, he played in 23 games. With a massive record of 1,698 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 110 interceptions, the star outlasts his competition in every aspect. Readers can stay tuned for more updates on Smith and his NFL draft news.

Also Read: NFL Combine Bench Press Record: Who Has Benched the Most in NFL Combine’s History?

The post Jaxon Smith-Njigba Combine Stats 2023: Jaxon Smith 40-Yard-Time appeared first on The SportsRush.

The NFL Scouting Combine is a week long event that takes place every year in February at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Only the top college players in the nation receive a combine invite.

The players who are selected have the chance to workout in front of NFL coaches, scouts, and GMs. The athletes perform various physical and mental drills in the hopes of impressing scouts and increasing their draft stock.

Although, there is the age old debate of whether or not these combine drills actually correlate with a player’s on-field success. Many argue that combine drills solely measure athleticism and don’t give a clear idea of a player’s capabilities.

Either way, there have been a number of occasions when a player’s draft stock increased based on their measurable qualities at the combine.

Also read: Which NFL Stadiums will be allowing fans in attendance for the 2020 season?

NFL Combine Bench Press Record

One of the drills at the combine is the bench press. Normally, this is the drill where players, especially linemen, get to showcase their strength and stamina.

Each athlete benches a weight of 225 pounds as many times as they can. Only 17 prospects managed to complete 40 repetitions since 1999. One of the players who did it was Justin Earnest back in 1999.

He was a DT out of Eastern Kentucky and he set the record for the bench press drill at 51 repetitions. No player has since managed to beat this mark, but Earnest actually isn’t the official record holder based on a technicality.

The NFL established a recency cut-off as 2006 to ensure data is accurate in official records. Therefore, Earnest’s effort in 1999 does not go down as the NFL record.

Instead, Stephen Paea’s 49 reps was deemed an NFL record in 2011. Paea, also a DT, was born in New Zealand and later moved to the States and played at Oregon State. He was drafted by the Bears and spent 7 years in the league.

Also read: Where to Watch NFL in the UK: ViacomCBS to broadcast NFL Monday Games on Channel 5 and MTV

Record Holders for Other Drills

40 Yard Dash: John Ross (4.22s)

Vertical Jump: Chris Conley/Donald Washington (45.0″)

Broad Jump: Byron Jones (12’3″)

Three-cone Drill: J.T. Thomas (6.28s)

The post NFL Combine Bench Press Record: Records for every drill at the NFL Scouting Combine appeared first on The SportsRush.