Overview:
The NFL Scouting Combine, formally known as the National Invitational Camp, is organized by National Football Scouting Inc. as an opportunity for NFL teams to scout a large quantity of players in one place. The current NFL Combine is held each February in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Over 300 draft-eligible players are invited by National Football Scouting Inc.
History:
The NFL Scouting Combine, formally known as the National Invitational Camp, is organized by National Football Scouting Inc. as an opportunity for NFL teams to scout a large quantity of players in one place. The current NFL Combine is held each February in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Over 300 draft-eligible players are invited by National Football Scouting Inc.
Evaluation:
At the Scouting Combine, NFL teams can chose up to 60 prospects at the combine to interview. The interviews are held at hotels, rather than at the combine venue, and can cover any subject. Teams will often ask about a player's personal background to uncover any possible character issues and will also ask questions to evaluate a player's readiness for the NFL.
Players are also given the Wonderlic Test, a written evaluation of a player's intelligence. The version of the test taken at the combine consists of 50 questions and lasts 12 minutes. Players are given one point for each question correctly answered. As of 2009, Pat McInally, a former punter and wide receiver from Harvard, is the only player with a confirmed score of 50.
Each prospect is also measured for height, weight, arm length and hand length and undergoes the Cybex Test, a measurement of flexibility and joint movement. Players will also undergo a physical exam to determine any current injuries and an injury history.
In this drill, the participant starts in the center of two cones placed 10 yards apart. He sprints to his right and touches the first cone, then sprints back to the second and finishes where he started in the center. This drill tests the participant's speed in short bursts and his change-of-direction skill. This drill is equally important for all positions.
Position Drills
Once the workout drills are complete, players are put through a variety of positional workouts simulating the types of drills players may do in a typical NFL practice.