Big Ten Stars Who Will Shine at the 2016 NFL Combine
The annual NFL Scouting Combine kicks off on Tuesday with the arrival and registration of special teams players, offensive linemen and running backs.
And while the combine's schedule doesn't call for actual workouts to begin until Thursday, it shouldn't be long until the Big Ten finds itself making headlines in Indianapolis.
With 58 players from the conference expected to attend—including a nation-high 14 from Ohio State—the Big Ten will be well-represented in the Circle City in the coming week. Numbers aside, several of the combine's highest-profile players hail from the Big Ten as well, including one of the draft's biggest question marks at quarterback, a player already shooting up draft boards and the league's potential next No. 1 overall pick.
The eyes of the football world will be on Indianapolis this week, and by extension, they'll also be on the Big Ten.
With that in mind, let's look at the conference's former stars who will shine at this week's NFL Scouting Combine.
Brad Craddock, Maryland
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He may be a kicker, but that only means that former Maryland Terrapins standout Brad Craddock will get one of the first cracks at starring in Indianapolis this week.
One of six kickers invited to the combine, Craddock will be out to prove he's the top player at his position in this year's crop of specialists. With no kickers picked in 2015 and just two selected the year before, that could ultimately be the difference between the Australia native being drafted or going undrafted later this spring.
The 2014 winner of the Lou Groza Award, presented annually to the nation's top kicker, Craddock has consistently been one of the top players at his position throughout his college career. In four years as a starter with the Terrapins, Craddock connected on 57 of his 70 field-goal attempts (81.4 percent), hitting a career-long of 57 yards in 2014.
It's that type of leg strength that Craddock will need to stand out this week and assert his status as the draft's top kicker.
If he does that, he'll be a star in his own right, because after all: Kickers are people, too.
Austin Johnson, Penn State
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While quarterback Christian Hackenberg may be the Penn State early entrant many will be keeping an eye on, it may ultimately be former Nittany Lions defensive tackle Austin Johnson who steals the show in Indianapolis this week.
Having already taken part in last month's Senior Bowl, the 6'4", 323-pounder has steadily been climbing up teams' draft boards since declaring for the draft following the 2015 season. In Mobile, Alabama, Bleacher Report NFL draft lead writer Matt Miller called Johnson one of the all-star game's standouts and lauded him for the versatility he displayed at his hulking size.
"A true nose tackle prospect, Johnson has the quickness to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme and line up either head-up on the center or shading him," Miller wrote. "He also showed good outside and inside shoulder pass-rush moves this week."
In Indianapolis, Johnson will have the opportunity to continue his ascent, potentially solidifying his status as a first-round prospect. A strong showing in events such as the bench press could go a long way toward doing just that as Johnson becomes one of this spring's most impressive workout warriors en route to the draft.
Vonn Bell, Ohio State
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While it remains to be seen whether or not he plays a position worthy of a first-round pick in this year's draft, there's no doubting Vonn Bell is a first-round talent.
A former 5-star prospect, Bell lived up to the hype and then some in his three years at Ohio State, earning first-team All-American honors in 2015. As a safety, however, Bell is hardly a lock to go in the draft's first round come April, with today's NFL not placing a premium on the position—only one was selected in last year's first round.
"Vonn Bell from Ohio State would be the first safety [selected], late [first round], but not mid-[first round]," ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said on a Monday conference call with media members.
But that won't stop Bell from putting together a big showing this week as he attempts to display the ball-hawking abilities that made him one of the Big Ten's top defensive playmakers the past two seasons. Perhaps that would be enough to sneak him into the back end of the first round, which seems to be his ceiling—based on need and not talent.
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Maliek Collins, Nebraska
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One of the Big Ten's most underrated defenders, Nebraska's Maliek Collins flew under the radar for the past two seasons—as defensive tackles on underachieving teams often do.
Possessing NFL size at 6'2" and 300 pounds, Collins tallied a combined 20 tackles for loss and seven sacks across the past two seasons and earned second-team All-Big Ten selections both years. As a defensive tackle, that puts the former Cornhusker in position to potentially be a first-round pick, which is something Kiper thinks he can achieve based on his performance this week.
"He needs to show he’s a first-round-caliber talent," Kiper said of Collins on the conference call.
According to most projections, Collins appears to be on the outside looking in of the draft's first round, which will only be 31 picks this year due to the New England Patriots forfeiting their selection.
In his latest big board, Matt Miller ranked Collins as his No. 45 player in the draft—a standing that could change with a big showing in the Circle City this week.
Graham Glasgow, Michigan
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If Graham Glasgow's NFL draft process is going to be any indication, Michigan could be well on its way to returning to being one of the nation's top pro football factories under Jim Harbaugh.
An afterthought entering 2015, a big senior season put the former Wolverines center on the radar of NFL teams with Harbaugh proclaiming the 6'6", 306-pounder to be worthy of a first-round pick.
Draft types may not have as high of an opinion on Glasgow, perhaps based more on needs of teams than anything else, but strong showings on the all-star game circuit—and praise from his former head coach—have done wonders for his draft stock heading into the combine.
"His opinion is huge," Kiper said of Harbaugh. "Glasgow is a guy who I think, this year, solidified a second- or third-round grade."
Where the former walk-on winds up remains to be seen, but this week's outing in Indianapolis will play a big role in his ultimate destination. And based on the way he's already performed this winter, Glasgow should hear his name called sooner rather than later this spring.
Joey Bosa, Ohio State
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One of the few contenders to be this year's No. 1 overall pick, Joey Bosa may not seem to have much to prove at this week's combine.
But if Bosa is going to come off the board within the first few picks this April, the former Ohio State defensive end may need a big week in Indianapolis.
Despite the 6'6", 275-pounder unanimously being viewed as one of the nation's top edge-rushers, mock drafts have seen him land anywhere from first in ESPN's Todd McShay's top 32 to fourth in Matt Miller's mock to sixth in Kiper's latest projections. This week could go a long way in determining where Bosa actually lands as he attempts to solidify his status as the draft's top prospect in the Circle City.
"There is going to be volatility [in the first round] based on the combine," Kiper said. "With Bosa, I think we'll have to wait and see if he drops to six. I couldn't [drop him] any further than that, but the combine opens up a lot of eyes on a lot of these underclassmen."
As he did throughout his time in Columbus, look for Bosa to exceed expectations. The two-time Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year should shine during strength testing and will likely display one of the best 40-yard times of any of the defensive linemen in Indy.
And if that turns out to be the the case, falling to sixth in the draft would seem to be a lot less likely for Bosa.
Connor Cook, Michigan State
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There may not be a more polarizing prospect at quarterback—or any other position—in Indianapolis this week than former Michigan State star Connor Cook.
Despite being the most decorated quarterback in Spartans history, questions about Cook's leadership have persisted after the three-year starter failed to become a captain in his senior season. According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, the word on Cook is that he has a "first-round arm, but a third-round personality."
That will make this week a big one for the first-team All-Big Ten selection, not only on the field—where he'll attempt to prove his injured throwing shoulder is at full strength—but in interviews as well. Sitting down face-to-face, team executives will have a chance to pick Cook's brain for the first time after his injury led to the 6'4", 216-pounder skipping the Senior Bowl.
"If he felt like he could go, I think he should have gone," Kiper said of Cook not attending the Senior Bowl as originally intended. "Physically, even if he was at 80, 90 percent, go and compete. He didn't, and I think that affected [his draft stock] as well."
For Cook, what happens off the field may be even more important than what happens on it this week. Look for the Hinckley, Ohio, native to be on his best behavior as he attempts to prove his personality matches his pure talent.
Braxton Miller, Ohio State
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Having NFL scouts already voting him the Senior Bowl's top standout, Braxton Miller has seen his draft stock soar since his storied college career came to an end.
But with less than a year of playing wide receiver under his belt—and coming off a relatively lackluster season at Ohio State—Miller has plenty to prove in the coming week.
Just as he did in Mobile last month, the two-time Big Ten MVP should shine on the field in Indianapolis, where he's already eyeing Chris Johnson's record 4.24-second 40-yard dash. If Miller can break that, a team using a first-round pick on the quarterback-turned-wideout would seem inevitable, with Kiper suggesting the New England Patriots could trade into the first round to select the former Buckeyes star.
"They like versatile players," Kiper said of the Patriots. "Look at Braxton Miller from Ohio State in the slot potentially."
Considering what he's done with limited offensive weapons the past two seasons, just imagine what Tom Brady would be able to do with a player possessing Miller's skill set.
Jack Conklin, Michigan State
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While there are no shortage of questions facing his former quarterback this week, the only thing left to wonder with Jack Conklin is where in the first round the former Michigan State left tackle will land.
Unanimously viewed as a first-round talent, Conklin is fighting it out with Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley and Ohio State's Taylor Decker to be the second offensive tackle taken after Ole Miss' Laremy Tunsil. A big week in Indianapolis could go a long way toward accomplishing that for the former Spartans walk-on, whose versatility could be one of his best assets, according to Kiper.
"An outstanding left tackle at college," Kiper said of Conklin. "If you feel he's needed immediately at right tackle, you play him there."
Based on his impressive college career, look for Conklin to shine in both strength and agility testing this week. If he does that, he may not make it out of the draft's top 10 picks this April.
Darron Lee, Ohio State
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A setting like the NFL Scouting Combine is nothing new for Darron Lee.
After all, it was just three years ago the under-recruited high school quarterback was trying to earn an offer from Ohio State on the summer camp circuit before eventually becoming an unexpected star in the Buckeyes' highly touted 2013 class.
Converting to linebacker upon the start of his college career, Lee became one of the nation's top defenders and one of the sport's top playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. In two seasons as a starter, Lee recorded three touchdowns, including two fumble returns and one pick-six.
Look for that ability to show up in events like the 40-yard dash and cone drills, where Lee will be able to put his history on the offensive side of the ball on full display. Reportedly weighing in at 235 pounds, according to Matt Miller, Lee's transition to linebacker appears to officially be complete, which could manifest itself in him stealing the show in Indianapolis this week.
Ben Axelrod is Bleacher Report's Big Ten lead writer. You can follow him on Twitter @BenAxelrod. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes were obtained firsthand. All statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com. Recruiting rankings courtesy of 247Sports.
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