With the fateful, life-changing day only a couple months away, eight LSU Tigers flew to Indianapolis for the job interview of their lives at the annual NFL Combine.
Seven Tigers received scores of 6.15 or above on the NFL combine tracker, indicating that they have potential to develop into a starter.
Going into the Combine, most eyes were on star tackle Will Campbell, who was projected to be a top 10 pick in most mock drafts. Campbell delivered on the expectations and delivered a 4.98 40-yard dash, an impressive number for an athlete his size. Furthermore, Campbell had the second-best broad jump at 9-feet-5-inches, placing only behind Missouri’s Armand Membou.
However, when Campbell’s arm measurements were finally published, they caused a minor fervor. He was three-eighths of an inch below the generally accepted minimum 33 inches. He was questioned for inconsistent footwork and predictable punches.
Campbell has been projected by some as a guard instead of a tackle, mainly due to these factors.
“I think I’ve shown everything that I need to, you know, show that I can play tackle at an elite level,” Campbell said. “You can go look at my tape, there’s not one play on there that when I get beat you say that’s because he has shorter arms.”
Another Tiger which drew a great deal of attention was Mason Taylor. While Taylor didn’t participate in any of the athletic tests, the record-setting tight end wowed scouts during his workout routine.
He ran an essentially perfect gauntlet drill, completing six catches while running at about 19 miles per hour.
One word was used consistently by scouts to describe Taylor: smooth.
However, he too was not without weaknesses, receiving some skepticism as a blocker. Despite this, his stock rose after the combine, making him a possibility early in round two.
Two other LSU players also opted to forgo athletic testing: tackle Emery Jones Jr. and guard Garrett Dellinger, who contracted the flu prior to the combine.
Jones has suffered from a notable draft stock decline since the start of his 2024 season, where some projections had him as a first-round pick. He ultimately received a 6.26, with a great body type for the position and a solid run-blocking ability but questionable control and balance issues.
While Jones ultimately came away with a respectable grading, Garrett Dellinger struggled. He had the lowest grade of the eight Tigers at the combine with a 5.90, placing him below the starter development range.
However, despite lacking the intensity of a player like Campbell and history of injuries, his build and heavy hands means he could be a solid backup for a team in need of depth.
Bradyn Swinson and Sai’vion Jones, received grades of 6.35 and 6.22 respectively. Swinson was noted for his agility and quickness which allowed him to thrive in the backfield during the 2024 season. However, that was a double edged sword: he had little to no rush strategy, limiting his ability to impact plays.
Sai’vion Jones was characterized by his size and grit. While not having the strongest timing or vision for rushing opportunities, Jones demonstrated himself to be a very physical player who has the potential to orchestrate some very electric rushes. Until then, however, he remains limited to rarely working outside of the pocket.
Lastly, guard Miles Frazier and corner Zy Alexander received a 6.18 and a 6.15 respectively.
Frazier certainly has the build for the NFL, at 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds, and showed solid control and has always generally performed well in tight spots. However, his hands are almost an inch smaller than the average for an offensive lineman, a significant red flag for his potential as a consistent starter.
Zy Alexander showed that he had the speed and length to develop into a very solid starter, with good awareness and an ability to play with a physicality greater than his build would suggest. However, his ability in press-man coverage leaves some scouts hesitant, which will need to be addressed before he can fully reach his potential.
Overall, the Tigers put on a very consistent performance. While they did not reach the heights of some of their fellow SEC teams, it’s a testament to the ability of the program to produce NFL-caliber players that almost every Tiger was graded to have starter potential.
