NBA Game of the Day, 2/12: Warriors vs. Mavericks
Alex Christenson
Prospect season is in full swing, and the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the East/West Shrine Bowl are in the rearview. The next event is the NFL Combine from Feb. 27 to March 2nd at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Last week, the list of invitees went out (all the names listed below). Who are the players we should be closely watching? Let’s find out.
Quarterbacks
Invitees
- Max Brosmer, Minnesota
- Brady Cook, Missouri
- Quinn Ewers, Texas
- Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
- Seth Henigan, Memphis
- Will Howard, Ohio State
- Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
- Graham Mertz, Florida
- Jalen Milroe, Alabama
- Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
- Tyler Shough, Louisville
Quarterbacks to Watch
Cam Ward, Miami
We have yet to see Cam Ward this offseason, so getting our first look at him at the NFL Combine is noteworthy. Ward is fresh off a 4,300-plus passing season and an NCAA-leading 39-touchdown season for the Hurricanes. Ward is not a super athlete, so I wouldn’t expect crazy athleticism numbers if he chooses to compete. However, it will be exciting to see him in the passing drills displaying his strong and accurate arm, along with his team interviews as the potential top quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Shedeur Sanders already started his draft process a few weeks ago, attending the East/West Shrine Bowl. He did not participate in the practices or the game, so the NFL Combine will be the first time we get to see him display his arm. The throwing drills will highlight his accuracy and anticipation skills, and we will also see how his deep ball looks – all from a clean pocket for once. We won’t see his pocket maneuverability, but some of the drills may display his overall athleticism if he partakes.
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Jaxson Dart is skyrocketing up draft boards, in large part due to his stellar Reese’s Senior Bowl, and he will look to build on these vibes at the NFL Combine. Dart is fresh off an SEC-leading 4,279 passing yard season as a senior, his fourth straight year of improvement. He also rushed for a career-high 495 yards this past season, displaying good dual-threat ability. His strong arm and short-area accuracy will be on full display, but his athleticism may steal the show.
Kyle McCord, Syracuse
Fresh off an ACC single-season passing record, Kyle McCord feels like one of the best sleeper quarterbacks in this class. He does not offer much in the rushing department, so I would not expect stellar athleticism numbers. On the other hand, his ability to hit every throw on the field will be very evident. His football IQ will also shine this week. Although we won’t see it or hear it, I am sure we will hear about it. I would not be shocked if McCord rose on many boards after the event.
Running Backs
Invitees
- LeQuint Allen, Syracuse
- Ulysses Bentley IV, Ole Miss
- Jaydon Blue, Texas
- Donovan Edwards, Michigan
- Trevor Etienne, Georgia
- DJ Giddens, Kansas State
- Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
- RJ Harvey, UCF
- TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
- Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
- Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas
- Jordan James, Oregon
- Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
- Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
- Montrell Johnson Jr., Florida
- Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
- Corey Kiner, Cincinnati
- Phil Mafah, Clemson
- Woody Marks, USC
- Damien Martinez, Miami
- Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
- Kalel Mullings, Michigan
- Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
- Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
- Brashard Smith, SMU
- Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
- Marcus Yarns, Delaware
Running Backs to Watch
Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
Surprisingly, Tahj Brooks has not garnered more attention, likely due to being a fifth-year senior, but he is coming off back-to-back 1,500-yard rushing seasons. Brooks stands an imposing 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds but moves with a combination of nimble footwork and elusiveness. This quickness and lateral movement is going to shine at the NFL Combine. With a lack of home-run style runs, his 40-yard dash time will likely be critical in his draft process. With some strong testing numbers, we may see Brooks climb draft boards in this loaded running back class.
Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
It feels like the consensus at this point is to say Omarion Hampton is the RB2 behind Ashton Jeanty. Coming off back-to-back 1,500-plus rushing seasons, the production profile is stellar. Hampton is a big-bodied runner who doesn’t shy away from contact but also displays good footwork and speed to make defenders miss. There are some questions about his long speed and lateral agility, both of which he can silence at the NFL Combine. A strong showing will likely seal the deal for him as the second running back off the board and potentially even Round 1 draft capital.
Devin Neal, Kansas
It wasn’t a bad or great week for Devin Neal at the Reeses’s Senior Bowl, which may have left a bitter taste in teams’ mouths. His weigh-in was the best part at 5-foot-11, 220 pounds. At the NFL Combine, he will have a chance to redeem himself. Neal is an explosive manipulator as a runner, and his athleticism drills will be key – strong numbers here could help make a push for Day 2 draft capital. His 40-yard dash will be critical too, as there are concerns about his top-end speed.
Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Cam Skattebo passed up on the Reese’s Senior Bowl, so this will be our first look at him this draft cycle. His playoff run was one for the ages, inducing himself to many by amassing 450 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns in just two games. With over 5,700 career scrimmage yards and 50 touchdowns, Skattebo is a dual-threat player but has plenty of questions surrounding his athleticism. At the NFL Combine, he can show that he is more than a mere plodder and has the athletic upside to be a component NFL back.
Wide Receivers
Invitees
- Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas
- Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
- Elijhah Badger, Florida
- Jack Bech, TCU
- Isaiah Bond, Texas
- Ja’Corey Brooks, Louisville
- Sam Brown Jr., Miami
- Pat Bryant, Illinois
- Luther Burden III, Missouri
- Beaux Collins, Notre Dame
- Chimere Dike, Florida
- Da’Quan Felton, Virginia Tech
- Tai Felton, Maryland
- Jacolby George, Miami
- Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
- Traeshon Holden, Oregon
- Jimmy Horn Jr., Colorado
- Tory Horton, Colorado State
- Kobe Hudson, UCF
- Daniel Jackson, Minnesota
- Tez Johnson, Oregon
- Josh Kelly, Texas Tech
- KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn
- Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech
- Dominic Lovett, Georgia
- Bru McCoy, Tennessee
- Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
- Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh
- Nick Nash, San Jose State
- Isaiah Neyor, Nebraska
- Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
- Kaden Prather, Maryland
- Xavier Restrepo, Miami
- Jalen Royals, Utah State
- Arian Smith, Georgia
- Roc Taylor, Memphis
- Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas
- Dont’e Thornton Jr., Tennessee
- Jordan Watkins, Mississippi
- Theo Wease Jr., Missouri
- Antwane Wells Jr., Mississippi
- LaJohntay Wester, Colorado
- Kyle Williams, Washington State
- Savion Williams, TCU
Wide Receivers to Watch
Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
There is a clear race at the top of the class between Luther Burden III, Tetairoa McMillan and Emeka Egbuka. The NFL Combine will be critical for all three but most important to Egbuka. His statistical profile is strong, posting two 1,000-yard seasons and two 10-touchdown seasons. His film lacks some of the explosive traits, but at this event, he can silence any doubt in this department. With good athletic testing numbers, Egbuka can cement himself as the second receiver in this class, if not the top receiver.
Matthew Golden, Texas
After a strong second half of the season and playoff run, Matthew Golden has been one of the recent risers in this receiver class. Golden led the SEC with nine receiving touchdowns and set a career-high with 987 receiving yards in his first season at Texas. Standing on a 6-foot, 195-pound frame, Golden has good size but is on the shorter side. His ball skills and route-running nuances will be showcased, and we will get a good gauge of his overall athleticism in this draft process. In a weaker class, he has a chance with a strong showing to cement himself as an early Day 2 player.
Tre Harris, Mississippi
After arriving at Ole Miss via Louisiana Tech, Tre Harris has excelled and produced his two best statistical seasons. In 2024, in only a mere eight games he topped 1,000 yards receiving and found the end zone seven times. Harris is a bit stiff on film but has great speed and nuances that allow him to create separation. At the NFL Combine, he will have a chance to remind everyone that he should be in discussion for one of the top names in this draft class.
Ricky White III, UNLV
It was a less-than-stellar start to Ricky White III’s draft cycle at the East/West Shrine Bowl, as he did not dominate as many hoped. His separation skills shined, though. White is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and an 11-touchdown season in 2024. At the NFL Combine, he will have the chance to display his quickness and ball skills in the drills, two things he excels at but doesn’t get enough credit for. His 40-time and lateral agility scores will be critical as well if he hopes to become a Day 2 player.
Tight Ends
Invitees
- Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh
- Jake Briningstool, Clemson
- Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
- CJ Dippre, Alabama
- Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
- Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
- Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
- Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska
- Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
- Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech
- Gunnar Helm, Texas
- Brant Kuithe, Utah
- Moliki Matavao, UCLA
- Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
- Robbie Ouzts, Alabama
- Joshua Simon, South Carolina
- Tyler Warren, Penn State
Tight Ends to Watch
Colston Loveland, Michigan
This time a year ago, everyone was excited about Colston Loveland. However, his hype has faded. Loveland regressed, only posting 582 yards receiving this past year at Michigan. He is still a fluid mover and a decent route-runner, but he struggled to be targeted routinely. So in a deeper tight end class, he must have a strong showing at the NFL Combine to secure himself at the top of the class – especially with the emergence of Tyler Warren and Harold Fannin Jr.
Luke Lachey, Iowa
Much like Loveland, Lachey was once a top name in this class after a strong campaign in 2022. He has faded after an injury in 2023 and a poor 2024. That’s no surprise since he has yet to find the end zone since 2022 or top 250 yards in a season. With prototypical size, standing 6-foot-6 and 246 pounds, he is a fluid mover who can play all three downs. At the NFL Combine, Lachey can showcase this plus athleticism and potentially reassert himself as a top name in this class.
Mason Taylor, LSU
After a strong Reese’s Senior Bowl week, Mason Taylor will look to continue his ascension at the NFL Combine. Having a stout 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame, Taylor has prototypical NFL size and is fresh off a career-high 546 receiving yards at LSU. His athleticism and fluidity will be on full display in the testing drills. We will also get to see his excellent receiving skills in the passing drills. Taylor excels in many areas that the event will showcase, so it will not be a surprise if his ascension continues.
Elijah Arroyo, Miami
Before the Reese’s Senior Bowl, few people knew the name Elijah Arroyo, but this is not the case now. With a prototypical frame and receiving ability that Arroyo displayed in Mobile, it’s no surprise he ascended draft boards. This week, we will get a chance to see his athleticism shine in the drills at the NFL Combine. Arroyo should test well in most drills, but he may lead the class in the short-area quickness drills. His ascension can continue with a strong showing in front of all the GMs and staff.
