NFL Combine 2012: Why Alshon Jeffery Badly Needs a Big Combine

The 2012 NFL scouting combine begins this week in Indianapolis, and while the event is very important for the futures of most of the 300-plus athletes that gather at Lucas Oil Stadium, for one player, the stakes may well be higher than they are for any other: South Carolina wide receiver Alson Jeffery.

After a relatively quiet junior season in which the 6'4" 229-pound Jeffery managed only 49 catches for 762 yards and eight touchdowns Jeffery, is probably the most polarizing player at his position in this year's draft class, with some pundits viewing him as a potential top-10 pick, while others have him outside the first round entirely.

Jeffery's detractors point to recent reports that Jeffery is out of shape, including this report from Joe Everett of Rookie Draft.

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WR Alshon Jeffery, #SouthCarolina is training at St Vincents here in Indy. Sources say he's weighing 249lbs + running a 4.88 Forty #NFLDraft

— Joe Everett (@RookieDraft) February 13, 2012"

The NFL Network's Mike Mayock also isn't a big supporter of Jeffery's ability to get open at the next level, telling the Houston Chronicle:

"

Does not separate. What [Jeffery] runs is important. He needs to run somewhere in those mid 4.5s. Big and fast is good. Big and slow is bad. Bottom line is…he has got to run well.

"

However, Jeffery also has his supporters, who point out just as readily that South Carolina's quarterback play was atrocious a year ago, Jeffery was the SEC's leading pass-catcher in 2010 and he remains a big target and gifted athlete.

Bleacher Report lead NFL Draft writer Matt Miller, who views Jeffery as the top wideout available in this year's draft class, moved quickly to dispel the rumors about Jeffery's conditioning last week and has this to say about the South Carolina standout:

"

No player in the 2012 NFL draft class can compare to Jeffery's ability to make the big catch. Remember, Jeffery led the SEC in receiving back in 2010. Not A.J. Green and not Julio Jones.

"

It's this swirling uncertainty that makes Jeffery's combine showing so vital, as a first-round pick and several million dollars are on the line.

Should Jeffery show up chiseled and run in the 4.5s, he may well not last past the middle of the first round.

If a flabby Jeffery falters in Indianapolis, he'll likely drop from the first round altogether.

On Thursday, Feb. 23, when wide receivers report to the combine, Alshon Jeffery's draft status may begin to clarify a bit, but for now, it's as clear as mud, and this is likely the most pressure-packed and nerve-wracking week of the young man's life.

No pressure or anything.