Tag: combine

Jan 30, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; National team quarterback Dillon Gabriel of Oregon (8) works through drills during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Short on height, QB Dillon Gabriel invites NFL to measure results

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel stands on his experience, results and reputation as a winner as NFL doubters point to a glaring shortcoming compared to other pro prospects: height.

Measured at 5-foot-11, Gabriel said he watches a lot of Baker Mayfield film and compares his play to 49ers starter Brock Purdy and Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa.

“I’m not for everyone,” Gabriel said. “I challenge everyone just to watch the tape, you see the evolution 2019 until now, the growth I’ve made physically and mentally. Even my throwing motion — you see how polished and how detailed it has been. I’m confident in my tape, whether it’s good or bad, I think you can learn from that and most importantly how I’ve responded.”

Gabriel has been a starting quarterback since he was a freshman at Mililani (Hawaii) High School and in successful college stops at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon with five seasons of 25-plus TD passes and 3,000-plus passing yards. He had 105 TD passes in four seasons as the varsity starter in high school and was Gatorade National Player of the Year with 38 TD passes as a senior.

“I’m a leader. I’m a winner. I’ve won at all three spots, and I’ve done it in big games,” said Gabriel, a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2024 who had 60 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in his final two college seasons.

“I want teams to believe I can go out there and win games,” he said. “If a team wants a winner, a franchise leader, they know who to call.”

A Pro Bowl selection coming off of a career year with the Buccaneers in 2024, Mayfield measured 6-0 5/8 at the combine and was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray went No. 1 in 2019 despite measuring 5-10 1/8 at the combine.

Gabriel, 24, said he had interviews this week with the Dolphins, Cowboys and Raiders in Indianapolis and has been encouraged with the NFL feedback he has received.

–Field Level Media

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson (2) celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against Fresno State during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

Report: Michigan duo won’t work out at Combine

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Michigan cornerback Will Johnson and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant will not work out at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, ESPN and NFL Network reported Thursday.

Both projected first-round picks are instead expected to be full participants in the Wolverines’ Pro Day on March 21.

Johnson intercepted nine passes in three seasons at Michigan, returning three of them for touchdowns. He added 68 tackles in 32 games.

A national champion in 2023 and a two-time All-Big Ten selection, Johnson was a first-team All-American in 2023 and earned second-team recognition in 2024 despite shoulder and foot injuries that limited him to six games.

Johnson was named the defensive MVP in Michigan’s College Football Playoff national championship game victory against Washington on Jan. 8, 2024. He had four tackles and an interception in the 34-13 win.

Combine medical evaluations revealed a hamstring strain for Grant, who had been planning to participate in on-field drills Thursday. The nose tackle said on Wednesday that he dropped more than 15 pounds to get his weight to 332 with a goal of running a 40-yard dash time in the 4.8-second range. The Indiana native also expected to see a slew of family and familiar faces in the stands at Lucas Oil Stadium for workouts.

Grant had 69 tackles (12 for losses) with 6.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, one interception and three fumble recoveries in 41 games over three seasons in Ann Arbor.

Grant was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in both 2023 and 2024 and a third-team All-American last season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (left) hands off to wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (right) during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

‘Time happens’ as 49ers dial up Deebo trade, talk money with QB Brock Purdy

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Time off is great, but 49ers general manager John Lynch would prefer not to start vacation mode in January again.

From the Super Bowl to missing the playoffs, San Francisco had more time than usual to plot a strategy for the upcoming offseason after finishing the 2024 season with a 6-11 record. The 49ers last finished with fewer than 10 wins in a season in 2020 (6-10).

“We need to get younger,” Lynch said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

In 2020, that meant reloading the defensive line — defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was the 14th overall pick — and selecting wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk with a second first-round pick. They also drafted wide receiver Jauan Jennings in the seventh round.

As the 49ers angle for a fresh start, wide receiver Deebo Samuel asked for one of his own. Lynch confirmed Wednesday action has been hot and heavy with multiple teams interested in acquiring Samuel, a player All-Pro tight end George Kittle has said cannot be replaced.

“The financial restraints and some conversations we’ve had with Deebo — we’re on good terms with Deebo. He’s asked for a fresh start and I think we’re going to honor that. Don’t like seeing great players — and he is a great player. I think often, one of my favorite draft picks in my time, he makes plays. He makes game-changing plays. Everything’s good. At some point, time happens. It probably makes sense. So we’re at least allowing him to look.”

The 49ers did the same with Aiyuk last summer with a contract holdout reaching a stalemate before negotiating a four-year, $120 million contract that signaled Samuel’s time could be up.

He turned 29 in January and the 2019 second-round pick hits the market after a 51-catch season, his lowest production in a full season over his six years in San Francisco. Samuel had 33 catches in 2020, when he was limited to seven games because of a broken foot.

Lynch said the 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy “started negotiations” but there’s no guarantees the two sides get a deal done before the 2025 regular season.

“I won’t go into negotiations like always is our stance. We want Brock to be our quarterback as long as we’re here and beyond and we’ll leave it at that,” Lynch said. “My experience has been when both sides are motivated, there’s ample opportunity to do so.”

The final pick of the 2022 draft, Purdy enters the final season of his rookie contract with a base salary of $5.265 million thanks to a proven performance escalator in all NFL rookie contracts. His original four-year deal included a total salary of $3.74 million. Purdy turned 25 in December and has a 27-15 record, including 4-2 in the playoffs, with the 49ers.

Lynch said Purdy should have his left tackle of choice, Trent Williams, in front of him again in 2025. Williams turns 37 in July and missed the final seven games last season with an ankle injury.

“He’s playing,” Lynch said of the four-time All-Pro. “I think he’s really motivated to come back. When you’re a player that has experience playing at those heights, you don’t want to play unless you’re playing at that level, and I think that’s where Trent’s at. … I think we’re going to see a real motivated Trent Williams to come back and have a great year, and that’s a good thing for us.”

Running back Christian McCaffrey ended the season on IR with a posterior cruciate ligament knee injury and was sidelined early in the season with calf and Achilles issues. The NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2023, McCaffrey had 21 total TDs and over 2,100 yards from scrimmage two seasons ago.

Lynch said McCaffrey should be ready to roll to start the 2025 season. Meanwhile, the 49ers will consider ways to prevent him from trying to do too much too soon.

“Christian’s doing really well,” he said. “And I think (he) was real frustrated with the way last season went. And doing everything that is possible, as he did in preparation for last year. And we’re hoping Christian McCaffrey is out there and going to have a tremendous year. If he’s healthy, he will have a tremendous year. That’s just what he does.”

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) celebrates a play against Ohio State during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

Michigan DT duo out to prove first-round status at Scouting Combine

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — When NFL teams ask Mason Graham for a game film from his college career that defines him as a prospect, the Michigan man has plenty to choose from.

But he also has a favorite.

“I mean, I feel like just rolling that Ohio State film. That’s all you need to see, really,” Graham said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

A top-five prospect departing Ann Arbor with a national title and All-American status, Graham angles for position at the top of a loaded defensive line class in the 2025 NFL Draft. He entered the draft after three college seasons and was described by his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh, as one of the best players he ever coached.

He’s an interior defensive lineman with the body and burst to stop the run and penetrate to collapse the pocket.

“I feel like I affect every snap, run or pass,” Graham said. “I feel like one of the most dominant players in this class.”

One position the Tennessee Titans might not need is defensive tackle, which means Graham is unlikely to be picked first overall. But the rest of the top 10 could be in the market for a player who can impact the defense on every down. Three of those teams were already checked off his list of interviews in Indianapolis with others on the docket Wednesday.

Graham said in meetings with the Patriots — New England holds the No. 4 overall pick — and Raiders (sixth), both teams focused on what makes Graham tick.

His response?

“How hard I work. No off-the-field stuff. I’m all about business,” Graham said. “I’m not a mysterious guy. You don’t need to look deep to find out about me. Everything is out there. Nothing to hide.”

Wolverines teammate Kenneth Grant is also viewed as a first-round prospect as a traditional nose tackle. A native of Merrillville, Ind., he said his parents, sisters and nieces and nephews are planning to be on hand for his workout this weekend.

Grant also met with the Patriots on his first night in Indianapolis in addition to sessions with the Lions, Bills and Cowboys.

Trimmed down from 347 to 332, Grant has worked double-time to put on a show in his position workout. His goal is 30-plus bench-press reps and a 40-yard dash in the 4.8-second range.

He said there is one aspect of his game that will stand out.

“Definitely my power. Just working on my power. Watching (Giants All-Pro) Dexter Lawrence, Vita Vea, how those guys use their power and body size,” Grant said.

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) reacts with the trophy after the game against the Boise State Broncos in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Ex-Penn State DE Abdul Carter (shoulder) to skip combine workouts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Penn State All-America edge rusher Abdul Carter, projected as one of the top selections in this year’s NFL draft, will not work out this week at the NFL Scouting Combine because he is still recovering from a shoulder injury, his agents said Monday.

Carter was injured in the Nittany Lions’ 31-14 victory over Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Dec. 31, and he played through the injury when Notre Dame downed Penn State 27-24 in a semifinal game on Jan. 9.

Carter’s agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey, told reporters that Carter would be recovered in time for Penn State’s pro day on March 28. Rosenhaus said he forwarded a letter to NFL teams from Dallas Cowboys team physician Dan Cooper, who examined Carter’s shoulder this month, that said the pass rusher recently was medically cleared to resume training.

Carter, 21, still could participate in interviews with NFL teams at the combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where defensive linemen and linebackers are among the first to participate.

A consensus All-America selection and the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Carter totaled 68 tackles, including 23.5 tackles for loss to lead the FBS, as well as 12 sacks and two forced fumbles in 16 games.

A former linebacker who moved this season to defensive end, Carter had 172 career tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 23 sacks and five forced fumbles in 42 games the past three seasons.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) reacts after the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

RB Ashton Jeanty skipping drills at NFL Combine

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Boise State star and 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty, projected to be the first running back selected in this year’s NFL draft, will forgo drills and workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, NFL Network reported Monday.

Jeanty will go through medicals and interviews only, his agent told NFL Network. Instead, Jeanty is planning to work out at Boise State’s pro day.

Jeanty had one of the top seasons of all time in 2024 by rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns. The yardage is second most in a season behind legendary Barry Sanders, who rushed for 2,628 yards for Oklahoma State in 1988.

Jeanty led Boise State to a 12-2 record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals before the Broncos lost 31-14 to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Jeanty rushed for more than 100 yards in each game this season and was known for his dazzling long runs and penchant for breaking tackles. He holds the school record of 4,769 rushing yards and completed his Boise State career with 50 rushing touchdowns.

Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter edged Jeanty for the Heisman Trophy.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Munich, Germany; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during NFL Live Munich at Augustiner-Keller. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL reveals dates on franchise tags, new league year

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The NFL on Thursday announced several important dates that affect the league’s qualifying teams for the upcoming playoffs and the 2025 season at large.

Case in point is Monday for free-agent signings and renegotiating or extending rookie contracts of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of the 2022 NFL Draft or any undrafted rookie who signed in 2023.

On Wednesday beginning at 4 p.m. ET, rosters will be frozen for clubs participating in the playoffs with limited exceptions. The first round is Jan. 11-13.

From Feb. 18-March 4, NFL clubs may designate franchise or transition players.

The NFL Scouting Combine will be held from Feb. 24-March 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

On March 12, the new league year begins in earnest at 4 p.m. ET, while the annual league meeting will be conducted from March 30-April 2 in Palm Beach, Fla.

The NFL Draft will be held on April 24-26 on Green Bay, Wis., while May 1 will serve as the deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2022 draft.

Below is a list of additional important deadlines:

July 15 at 4 p.m. ET — This serves as the deadline for any club that designated a franchise player to sign said player to a multiyear contract or extension.

July 21 at 4 p.m. ET — This serves as the end of the signing period for transition players without outstanding tenders.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) celebrates after a first half touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

T Olumuyiwa Fashanu ends workout with thigh injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, who is seen as a possible top-15 selection in the NFL Draft, ended his workout at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis early on Sunday after sustaining a right thigh injury, according to the NFL Network.

Fashanu, who appeared in 29 games — with 21 starts — for Penn State over three seasons, ended the workout after his first 40-yard dash. He ran it in 5.11 seconds, with a 10-yard split of 1.77 seconds. Afterward, he was icing down the thigh, the report said.

NFL Network also indicated that Fashanu should be able to take part in Penn State’s pro day on March 15.

College Football Network has Fashanu going to the Los Angeles Chargers with the fifth pick, while NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah rated him as the No. 12 selection.

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2024; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy speaks during the national championship celebration at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy touts ‘Everything you want in starting QB’

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INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy makes no apologies about his statistics falling short in a tale of the tape with the top-ranked passers in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he’s ready to talk wins and losses.

McCarthy exited Ann Arbor in January on the heels of a national title win over Washington and has lost only three games — one with the Wolverines compared to 27 victories — since he began his high school football career (34-2 as a starter).

So what would an NFL team be getting if they went with McCarthy over the past two Heisman Trophy winners — Caleb Williams of USC and Jayden Daniels of LSU?

“I would say, tough, gritty guy who only cares about winning at the end of the day,” McCarthy said Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Loves the game of football with a burning passion, loves his teammates. Just pretty much everything you’d want in starting quarterback.”

Meetings with multiple teams with a need at the position dominated the past two nights for McCarthy. He said he had formal interviews with the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants, among others.

“I just let them know who I am. That’s something that a lot of people don’t know, and it’s not just putting it on a front.” McCarthy said. “I want them to actually understand that I truly love the game of football, I truly love my teammates and want to do nothing but win football games.”

McCarthy plans to throw in Saturday’s on-field session for quarterbacks, when participation will otherwise be sparse. Williams, Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye all have opted out of the passing session.

Because of hamstring tightness, McCarthy will not run the 40 or do the vertical or broad jump at the combine.

Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson expects McCarthy to open a lot of eyes, even in a limited workout.

“I think a lot of people like to say like he can’t throw. I feel like he’s an unbelievable quarterback,” Wilson said. “You guys are going to see at pro day or even here, his arm talent is through the roof. He’s one of the better quarterbacks in this draft.”

–Field Level Media

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams talks with USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley during the first half of the game against No. 6 Oregon Ducks on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

USC QB Caleb Williams opts out of medical testing

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INDIANAPOLIS — Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams continues to make waves with contrarian decisions at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he made the call to opt out of standard medical testing.

“I’m doing the medical stuff,” Williams said in a packed media session at the combine on Friday morning. “Just not here in Indy. Not 32 teams can draft me. There’s only one of me. So the team that I go to for my visits, those teams will have the medical and that’ll be it.”

Williams is the top player on the draft board for many teams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner who starred at Oklahoma as a freshman before following Lincoln Riley to USC. But rejecting the protocol of the pre-draft process will raise red flags for some of the other teams.

National Football Scouting oversees most elements of the annual combine in Indianapolis, and the goal of being a one-stop shop for scouts and general managers includes a routine physical and medical testing to give every team access to a universal medical evaluation of each player. All 321 prospects invited to the combine are informed of the schedule of events directly and through their certified player representatives.

But Williams doesn’t have an agent and instead will be communicating with prospective employers through his father and a hand-selected support staff.

Williams said declining the medical testing was a personal decision. For reference, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was still tied up with doctors on Friday morning when his required interview with media was scheduled. Players who undergo extensive MRI exams and X-rays because of past injuries have spent more than eight hours at the hospital in Indianapolis where prospects are poked and prodded.

There are no known significant or long-term injury concerns with Williams. He played with a hamstring strain in 2022 and injured the pinky finger on his right (throwing) hand last season.

After meeting with the Chicago Bears for a formal interview, Williams said not to read into the decision as an indication he knows where he’ll be drafted, but “I don’t think that I’m not going to be No. 1,” he said.

“They were awesome,” Williams said of his first in-person talks with the Bears. “I spoke more about ball and things like that because the interviews are so short. It was more about them getting to know me.”

Williams is one of four quarterback prospects with firm first-round grades from Field Level Media. From that group, only Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy will participate in Saturday’s on-field throwing session.

It’s common for top quarterbacks to delay at least the throwing portion of their workouts to the more-comfortable, well-scripted pro day setting on their college campuses. Williams, who passed for 10,082 yards and 93 touchdowns in three college seasons, is scheduled to be the featured attraction at the USC pro day on March 20.

LSU’s Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, and North Carolina’s Drake Maye are considered likely top-10 picks and could compete with Williams to go No. 1 overall. Neither quarterback plans to participate in on-field testing or throwing at the combine.

Speculation the Washington Commanders are considering moving up in a trade to get Williams, who grew up in the D.C. region, continues percolating after owner Josh Harris sat in on interviews with multiple prospects in Indianapolis this week.

Daniels said he met with Washington in a meeting that included head coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and Harris.

–Field Level Media