Earning an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine is, by no means, an easy feat, because it’s reserved for the NCAA’s top talent.
That being said, it drives me crazy every year when players go to the combine and don’t take part in all drills because they opt to wait until their school’s individual Pro Day in March.
Up to 335 athletes are invited to the combine each year, with personnel and medical staffs from all 32 teams also in attendance to evaluate and interview the participants. For the select athletes who are invited, being able to showcase one’s talents greatly increases his chances of being drafted.
However, an athlete electing not to participate certain drills seems to be happening more and more each year. In my opinion, it is a dumb decision to wait. These players work hard to earn this opportunity and waste it by not taking full advantage.
Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles was one of 19 quarterbacks invited to the combine and he took full advantage of his opportunities. In an interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Bortles was asked when and why he chose to participate in throwing drills and not wait similar to other quarterbacks.
“My mind was always made up, it was just waiting on the right time to announce it,” he said. “I want to compete.”
Many players choose to wait until their Pro Day simply because of comfort. They feel more comfortable in their own facilities and working with their staff which they have grown accustom to over the years. Oftentimes that familiarity with surroundings and staff allows the player to achieve better results.
I believe every player who is invited to the combine should be required to take part in all events and drills if they are healthy. At the combine, everyone is at the same disadvantage of running and working out in facilities they are not comfortable with. If that causes players to perform poorly, so what, they all have a second chance at their Pro Day.
I am not saying that I do not understand why these athletes make this decision, but it should not be allowed except in the case of injury. Allowing players to pick and choose what drills they want to do puts the power in the players hands, though it should be in organization’s that will be employing them, not the other way around.
Christopher Miller is a sophomore studying broadcast journalism and sports management. Do you agree that athletes should perform in all combine events? Let him know at cm001111@ohiou.edu or @MLLRC93.
