NFL Combine 2012: 5 Top Prospects Who Weren't Invited

Hundreds of college football's top athletes have gathered this week in front of scouts and coaches from across the NFL at this week's scouting combine in Indianapolis. Stars such as quarterback Andrew Luck of Stanford, offensive tackle Matt Kalil of USC and defensive back Morris Claiborne of LSU are taking part in workouts and interviews.

However, even with more than 300 invitees, there are any number of collegiate standouts who didn't receive an invite to this year's shindig, including this somewhat surprising handful of snubs.

Aaron Henry, FS (Wisconsin)

Wisconsin free safety Aaron Henry was a first team All-Big Ten selection in 2011 after racking up 67 tackles, four interceptions and a sack as a senior. In a weak crop of free safeties, he is among the top fistful of options available at his position.

Henry will likely hear his name called in the fourth or fifth round of April's NFL draft, but apparently the powers that be aren't overly impressed, as the 6'0", 205-pound Henry is watching the combine on TV just like the rest of us.

Moe Petrus, C (Connecticut)

Moe Petrus was a first team All-Big East performer for the Connecticut Huskies, as the 6'2", 302-pound center started every game in the middle of the Connecticut offensive line for three consecutive seasons.

Petrus is a bit undersized, but would be an excellent fit in a zone-blocking offense, so it was more than a little startling to see his name left off the list of combine invitees.

Nicolas Jean-Baptiste, DT (Baylor)

After tallying 36 tackles and four sacks as a senior—and on his way to being named a second team All-Big 12 performer in 2011—6'2", 335-pound defensive tackle Nicolas Jean-Baptiste was one of the stars at the East-West Shrine Game, where he was dominant in practice.

Jean-Baptiste played out of control at times at Baylor and may need some time to develop, but with the 3-4 defense becoming more prevalent in the NFL—plus the fact that Jean-Baptiste possesses the frame to play nose tackle—it was rather befuddling when he didn't get invited to the combine.

Bobby Rainey, RB (Western Kentucky)

Running back Bobby Rainey was a wildly productive player for Western Kentucky University the past several seasons. His 3,334 rushing yards over the past two seasons ranks second in the NCAA over that stretch.

At only 5'8", Rainey's size may pose an issue at the NFL level, but he's far from tiny at 205 pounds. Given his outstanding production in college, it's hard not to see the Hilltopper's omission from the combine as a snub.

Levy Adcock, OT (Oklahoma State)

There very well may be no more surprising snub at the 2012 scouting combine than that of Levy Adcock of Oklahoma State. The 6'6", 322-pound senior was a consensus first team All-Big 12 pick in 2011, and is considered by some to be a Top 10 offensive line draft prospect.

Adcock also missed the Senior Bowl with an injury, and while his lack of agility may force a move to right tackle or guard in the NFL, it's still a head-scratcher that he didn't make the combine cut.