Saunders ineligible for draft, combine

Because former University of South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders has been declared ineligible for the NFL draft due to a paperwork issue, he's also ineligible to participate in the NFL scouting combine.

League sources with knowledge of the situation have informed National Football Post that Saunders had been invited to the combine, but now that invitation has been rescinded.

What happened?

According to sources, Saunders and his representatives didn't petition the NFL to be included in the draft eligible list to be given special eligibility. Saunders was a senior, but didn't play for the Gamecocks last season due to an NCAA inquiry and violations of team rules.

Saunders' situation is contrasted by North Carolina defensive lineman Marvin Austin and wide receiver Greg Little, who were declared eligible for the draft after filing paperwork and are going to attend the scouting combine later this month in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Austin was dismissed from the team, and Little and Tar Heels defensive end Robert Quinn were declared permanently ineligible due to NCAA rule violations involving receiving extra benefits from agents.

Saunders was dismissed from the team in September following an NCAA investigation and violations of team rules.

"Most of you probably already heard, Weslye Saunders is not a member of our team anymore," South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said at the time. "That's probably about all we need to say about it. The fact is he's no longer a member of the team. I'm not talking specifics."

Saunders was suspended in August after drawing NCAA scrutiny for potential improper agent contact by attending a party in South Beach last spring.

And Spurrier had previously told Saunders and other Gamecock players to vacate a local hotel where they had been staying.

During the 2009 season, the 6-foot-6, 270-pounder from Raleigh, N.C., ranked third on the team with 32 receptions for 363 yards. He finished his career with 60 catches for 718 yards and six touchdowns.

At one point last summer, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., had ranked Saunders second on his list of tight ends behind Notre Dame standout Kyle Rudolph.

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