7 SEC Surprises from the 2015 NFL Combine
The annual job fair known as the NFL Scouting Combine took place over the weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and during the time there, many SEC players made positive impressions on NFL scouts who were just itching to tear them down.
Several simply won't let that happen.
From former Georgia wide receiver Chris Conley's record-setting combine to former Alabama safety Landon Collins' accolades to former LSU cornerback Jalen Collins' surprising performance, it was a big event for former SEC stars.
Which stars shined brightest? Our picks, based on combine results, pre-combine hype and college performance, are in this slideshow.
7. Auburn WR Sammie Coates
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At 6'1", 212 pounds, former Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates looks the part of a freak. With long arms, long legs and a strong upper body, he proved it in Indianapolis.
The former member of FoxSports.com writer Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List" put up 23 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press (tops among wide receivers), had a 41-inch vertical (fourth), a 131-inch broad jump (third) and a 4.06 20-yard shuttle run (second).
As Matt Wyatt of Head to Head Radio in Mississippi pointed out, he was complimented by the NFL's college football Twitter feed for his 40-yard dash time even when it was trying to criticize.
"Smh... pic.twitter.com/Fap2hj3g3O
— Matt Wyatt (@MaroonWyatt) February 21, 2015"
Coates is physical at the line of scrimmage, has good speed and agility and has the hops to go up and high-point the football. He's going to make one NFL general manager look like a genius when he starts his career on Sundays.
6. Missouri OL Mitch Morse
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When it comes to the combination of strength and agility in offensive linemen, former Missouri offensive lineman Mitch Morse is your man.
The former Tiger put up 36 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, which was one shy of Ereck Flowers' mark of 37 when led offensive linemen in this year's scouting combine. He boasted the third-best 20-yard shuttle time (4.50 seconds), the fifth-best broad jump (112.0 inches) and—if you care about 40-yard dash times for offensive linemen—tied for eighth (5.14 seconds).
According to Tod Palmer of the Kansas City Star, Morse is a hot commodity among the 32 teams in the NFL.
"Mitch Morse, who turned in a stellar workout at the NFL Combine last weekend, said he interviewed with the Chiefs (and roughly 14 other tms)
— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) February 22, 2015"
He was 20th among offensive lineman on B/R lead NFL draft analyst Matt Miller's pre-combine big board. Don't be surprised to see him move up that list as we get closer to the 2015 NFL draft.
5. Tennessee DB Justin Coleman
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Justin Coleman led the Tennessee Volunteers with four interceptions last season and could be leading an NFL defensive backfield near you in 2015.
Viewed as a late-round draft pick at best coming in, Coleman did all that he could to change that perception inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
He put up 20 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press and ripped off a 4.5 40-yard dash. That's not the fastest time in the world, especially for defensive backs, but when combined with his strength, it does make this assessment from NFL.com look a little off-base.
"Has desired instincts and awareness in coverage, but lacks athleticism to match up against quicker targets in man coverage. Could be tough to cut based on toughness and ability to play on special teams."
Coleman's performance certainly impressed Vols wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni.
"Our boy @JustinColeman27 killing it at the NFL Combine right now! Love ya kid! #Tennesseetrained pic.twitter.com/zlmLaQ1x6h
— Coach Zach Azzanni (@UTCoachZA) February 23, 2015"
He's still likely a middle- or late-round draft pick, but the strength will be attractive to teams and certainly land him a spot on special teams as a rookie.
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4. LSU CB Jalen Collins
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Former LSU defensive back Jalen Collins surprised a lot of people when he left the LSU program in favor of the NFL draft.
"Still learning technique and how to sink his feet with his eyes, but the instincts and athleticism to make plays on the ball both short and deep are what set him apart," wrote Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. "Collins is a work in progress, but his physical and play traits create a very high ceiling if he continues to learn to play the position."
Apparently, he's progressing nicely—not just with his 4.48 40-yard dash and other measurables, but with the technique NFL scouts have been critical of:
"Jalen Collins has looked really fluid during drills for a long CB. Definitely improved his stock in Indy with good tests.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) February 23, 2015"
"Jalen Collins is making a lot of 💰today.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 23, 2015"
When former Tiger Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed prior to the 2012 season, it was then-freshman Jalen Collins (along with safety Jalen Mills) who was being counted on to fill the void. It wasn't until 2014 was Collins looked the part of a superstar.
Judging from his work in his post-LSU days, he's a late-bloomer who has "star" written all over him at the next level.
3. Kentucky DE/LB Alvin 'Bud' Dupree
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Alvin "Bud" Dupree flew a little bit under the radar at Kentucky, but he's popping up all over the screen around the NFL these days.
The former Wildcat defensive end/linebacker posted some video-game statistics at the combine, including a 4.56 40-yard dash (fourth among linebackers), a 42-inch vertical jump (second) and a 138-inch broad jump, which was the best mark among linebackers and tied for fifth-best overall.
As B/R video host Adam Lefkoe notes, that certainly turned some heads:
"Bud Dupree putting together a MONSTER day: 6'4" 269lb. 42" Vertical 4.57 - 40 11'6" Broad Jump Measureables that could get him into 1st Rd.
— Adam Lefkoe (@AdamLefkoe) February 22, 2015"
Plus, his versatility as a player who can stand up or put his hand in the dirt makes him a valuable commodity for his future NFL employer. B/R lead NFL draft writer Matt Miller listed Dupree as the fourth-best defensive end on his pre-combine big board, which tells you all that you need to know about Dupree. He has the speed and agility of a linebacker but the size to play defensive end.
That sound Dupree is currently hearing is the NFL slot machine just spitting out money in his hands.
2. Mississippi State S Justin Cox
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Justin Cox plays like a safety and runs like a cornerback, which made him one of the brightest stars of the combine in Indianapolis.
The former Mississippi State Bulldog ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, which was second among all defensive backs and tops among safeties by 0.09 seconds. Not to be outdone, he posted the best broad jump among safeties (129 inches) and tied for the third-best vertical (38 inches).
His measurables are clearly there, and he followed it up with some solid play in drills:
"Mississippi State FS Justin Cox has CB speed (unofficial sub 4.4), and can elevate his stock with good field work today. Was a JUCO AA at CB
— Charles Davis (@CFD22) February 23, 2015"
"Justin Cox did a good job both times I watched him on that gauntlet drill. Sees the ball into his hands well, quickly refocuses to repeat.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 23, 2015"
The 6'1", 191-pounder has the size, speed and ability to become a star in the NFL, especially considering nickel defenses have evolved into more of the base formation for many pro (and college) teams.
1. Georgia WR Chris Conley
7 of 7In a draft that features former Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper, former West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White, former Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker, former Missouri/Oklahoma wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, former Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates and a medium-sized village of talented wide receivers, it takes a lot for a lesser-known receiver to make a splash.
Not only did former Georgia wide receiver Chris Conley make a splash, he drained all of the water out of the pool.
Conley posted the third-best 40-yard dash of the event with a sizzling 4.35, beat everybody and tied a combine record with a 45-inch vertical (the next closest wide receiver was Jaelen Strong at 42 inches) and had the best broad jump at his position at 139 inches—seven more than his closest competitor.
As Gentry Estes of 247Sports notes, he's about to fly up even further once teams actually get to know Conley—one of the friendliest players in recent SEC history:
"To those of you unfamiliar with #UGA WR Chris Conley and impressed by his speed at #NFLCombine: Go watch an interview with him.
— Gentry Estes (@GentryEstes247) February 21, 2015"
Conley had 36 catches for 657 yards last season, which doesn't exactly jump off the page when compared to Cooper, White and the rest of the stud wide receivers in this year's draft class. But he played in a run-based attack with Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb handling the load and didn't have to be "the man" in Athens.
That may change at the next level, where Conley clearly intends to be a star and, perhaps, jump out of buildings.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All college stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, all NFL combine stats are courtesy of NFL.com and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
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