There’s still more than two months until the NFL draft begins on May 8, but draft season really ramps up today as the NFL’s annual scouting combine gets underway in Indianapolis.
The combine is an opportunity for college football’s elite to be evaluated by NFL scouts in hopes of improving their draft stock.
Of the 335 invitees set to participate in workouts, examinations and interviews, 11 are from LSU. What happens during the next week will either make or break where a number of those former Tigers end up on draft day.
Most to gain:
1. Anthony Johnson, defensive tackle — Johnson showed flashes of brilliance during his time at LSU, but overall, his level of production never matched the natural abilities that made him one of the top five recruits in the nation out of high school.
Because of his unspectacular stats, Johnson currently sits relatively low on NFL draft boards. He has the size of a prototypical defensive tackle, and individual drills like the bench press and cone drill will give him a chance to showcase his rare combination of power and speed.
“Johnson has to nail this,” said NFL draft evaluator Mike Detillier. “He hasn’t been that dominant player we expected him to be at LSU, but as an athlete, he is at the highest step of the ladder. He has a high upside and can do himself a tremendous service by working out well.”
From Vernon Gholston to Darrius Heyward-Bey, NFL teams have a long history of overlooking a player’s lack of productivity because of an impressive workout. NFL coaches believe they have the secret for translating raw physical ability into production.
Johnson may not be able to leap all the way into the first round, but if he can have a massive workout, he’ll likely shoot up draft boards.
2. Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver — Beckham can cement his status as the highest-rated LSU player on draft boards with a quality showing in Indianapolis.
He grew drastically as a player and had a productive junior season with Zach Mettenberger at quarterback, but compared to teammate Jarvis Landry, Beckham is still more of an all-purpose playmaker than a polished receiver.
The combine is an opportunity for him to wow scouts with his explosive speed and athleticism.
“I think a great workout would solidify Beckham as a top-20 pick in round one,” Detillier said. “I think at times Beckham and Landry’s abilities kind of overshadowed one another last season, and this Olympic-style running and jumping gives Beckham a chance to shine.”
Most to lose:
1. Jeremy Hill, running back — More than any of the other LSU players, Hill needs to sell himself to scouts at the combine.
The issue has nothing to do with Hill as a football player — he’s a powerful runner with good speed who will be considered among the best backs in the class regardless of how he works out at the combine.
Hill must impress in the interviews and convince scouts his legal troubles are a thing of the past and that he will not have a third run-in with the law.
“He’s jammed in there with Tre Mason from Auburn, Ka’Deem Carey from Arizona and Carlos Hyde from Ohio State,” Detillier said. “Jeremy needs to sell everybody on the fact that he’s a changed guy and can stay out of trouble off the field.”
Similar to the situation with former Tiger Tyrann Mathieu last offseason, Hill must convince an NFL team it can trust him. He’s an NFL-ready player, but if he can’t establish that trust, there is no telling how far he could tumble.
James Moran is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Beacon, N.Y.