Stats about the NFL Combine
Before they are drafted and before they put on a NFL jersey, the top 350+ desirable college players get invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. At the combine, the players are tested physically and mentally on their football skills and knowledge. Representatives from every NFL team can watch their progress, as can 7 million people viewing from home. For the last 30 years, the combine has been held in an Indianapolis due to NFL agreements. Before Indianapolis, the combine has been held in other locations like Louisiana and Arizona.
The 6 day event puts the athletes through a physical test consisting of: a 40 yard dash, bench presses, a vertical jump, a broad jump, the three cone drill, a shuttle run, and a few position specific stations. The wonderlic test contains 50 questions in 12 minutes that test a player’s ability to learn, make decisions, and follow instructions. Other tests that they don’t broadcast are the Cybex test, which measures a player’s joint mobility, drug screens, physical measurements, and an injury evaluation.
If a player wishes to show their skills on a stage other than the Combine in Indianapolis, they can pay the $150.00 entry fee and travel to 1 of 11 cities that offers a regional combine. The regional combines are located in Los Angeles, Houston, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Cleveland.
So at the end of every February the combine keeps the scouts busy shifting through new prospects to add to their roster.
By Alvin Bannerjee
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