There are six Ohio St. Buckeyes participating at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Today was day one, THE Ohio St Buckeyes, along with the Wisconsin Badgers, have the most players from a Big Ten team at this year’s event.
Here’s the Ohio St. Buckeyes competing at the combine, and where they grade out as of now. Obviously, that’s highly subject to change as the Scouting Combine continues. Today was OL, TE, Special Teams, which means two Ohio St. Buckeyes went today.
WR Corey Brown
Philly Brown led (or tied) for the team lead in receiving in each of his last three seasons and in the process became just the second Ohio St. Buckeyes receiver to have consecutive seasons of at least 60 receptions. He grades out as a round 6-7 or undrafted priority free agent.
RB Carlos Hyde
Might be the first running back taken. Although he’ll get some competition from Washington’s Bishop Sankey and Oregon’s De’Anthony Thomas. Unfortunately, running backs don’t go in the first round anymore. Hyde should be the first back taken, but he may have to wait until the mid second round. He also needs to do well on the interviews, to quell any possible character concerns. He’s red-flagged due to his off-the-field issues.
C Corey Linsley
Fifth-year senior center, has talent but plays a position that NFL teams do not prioritize at all in the draft. He grades out as a round 5-6 prospect. Put up 36 reps on the bench press, tied for second most today. He did not participate in the 40 yard dash.
OT Jack Mewhort
Could go as high as early round two, or as low as late round three. Officially timed at 5.37 seconds in 40, slightly higher than 10-year combine average among OTs. ran a 5.19 on his second try. Scored an 8’3″ in the broad jump. Looked fine technically throughout the drills, but was a clear step slower than the top offensive tackles. Put up 28 reps on the bench press.
CB Bradley Roby
Major red flags with character concerns from off-the-field issues, and on-the-field issues. He did himself no favors by getting kicked out of the Iowa game for targeting. He really needs to interview well. Scouts question his attitude and arrogance. The fact that he had “2014 National Champion” in his Twitter bio all college football season doesn’t help. Because we all know how that ended for the Ohio St. Buckeyes. Michigan State took care of that.
Roby is a tremendous talent, and prior to this year he was rated a top 15 overall pick, but he had a very poor season, and battled injuries. Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis completed pantsed him, as did a couple other opposing receivers. I’d be surprised if he’s picked before the mid second round.
LB Ryan Shazier
Middle LB prospect who grades out as early to mid second round, but could sneak into the first. Tampa would be a good fit for him, but they would wait until round two to grab him. He’s not top 10 overall material.
Here’s the Combine workout schedule:
§ Saturday, Feb. 22: Tight ends, offensive linemen, special teams;
§ Sunday, Feb. 23: Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers;
§ Monday, Feb. 24: Defensive linemen, linebackers; and
§ Tuesday, Feb. 25: Defensive backs.
Big Ten Representation at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine (36 players)
6 – Wisconsin: RB James White, WR Jared Abbrederis, TE Jacob Pedersen, OL Ryan Groy, LB Chris Borland, DB Dez Southward
5 – Iowa: TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, OL Conor Boffeli, LB Anthony Hitchens, LB Christian Kirksey, LB James Morris
4 – Michigan State: WR Bennie Fowler, LB Max Bullough, DB Darqueze Dennard, DB Isaiah Lewis
3 – Michigan: WR Jeremy Gallon, OL Taylor Lewan, OL Michael Schofield
3 – Nebraska: WR Quincy Enunwa, OL Spencer Long, DB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
3 – Penn State: WR Allen Robinson, OL John Urschel, DL DaQuan Jones
2 – Minnesota: DL Ra’Shede Hageman, DB Brock Vereen
1 – Illinois: LB Jonathan Brown
1 – Indiana: WR Cody Latimer
1 – Northwestern: WR Kain Colter
1 – Purdue: DB Ricardo Allen
Paul M. Banks owns The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An MBA and Fulbright scholar, he’s also a frequent analyst on news talk radio; with regular segments on ESPN,NBC, CBS and Fox. A former NBC Chicago and Washington Times writer, he’s also been featured on the History Channel. President Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)