BYU Football Among Elite Company For NFL Combine Invites
Mar 4, 2021, 2:03 PM
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown during an NCAA football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (Yukai Peng, Deseret News)
(Yukai Peng, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – BYU football is having a banner year for the NFL Combine. The Cougars are sending six players to the NFL Scouting Combine, nearly tying a program record of seven in 2002.
BYU’s six invitees to the 2021 NFL Combine have them rubbing shoulders with some of the top college football programs.
Kalani Sitake’s program is tied for 11th for most players sent to the virtual Combine from one school. The most among programs outside of the Power 5 conferences.
How many of these former @BYUfootball players will be selected in the 2021 #NFLDraft? #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFootball https://t.co/MQhi6vhGp9
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 9, 2021
BYU’s six invitees are highlighted by star quarterback prospect Zach Wilson, a favorite to become the No. 2 overall selection in April’s Draft. The others include Matt Bushman, Brady Christensen, Dax Milne, Khyiris Tonga, and Chris Wilcox.
The school with the most invitees to the Combine is national runner-up Ohio State. Ohio State is sending 14 players to the Combine, including quarterback Justin Fields who has been training with Zach Wilson at 3DQB.
323 draft prospects invited to participate in 2021 NFL Scouting Combine.https://t.co/UzNybPh7Lf pic.twitter.com/eHF5a6RzBR
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) March 3, 2021
After the Buckeyes are Alabama, Georgia, and Notre Dame tied for second with 11.
BYU is tied with Florida State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, and Texas with six invites. The Cougars are sending more to the Combine than powerhouse Clemson. Clemson produced five invites, which includes projected No. 1 overall pick in Trevor Lawrence.
With no position workouts at this year’s Combine, the work will take place at individual Pro Day’s. BYU is scheduled to host its Pro Day on March 26.
Schools with multiple invitees to 2021 NFL Combine
Ohio State – 14
Alabama – 11
Georgia – 11
Notre Dame – 11
Florida – 9
LSU – 8
Michigan – 8
Texas A&M – 8
Kentucky – 7
USC – 7
BYU – 6
Florida State – 6
Oklahoma – 6
Oregon – 6
Penn State – 6
Pitt – 6
Texas – 6
Clemson – 5
Duke – 5
Iowa – 5
Miami – 5
Missouri – 5
North Carolina – 5
Oklahoma State – 5
South Carolina – 5
Stanford – 5
Auburn – 4
Cincinnati – 4
Northwestern – 4
TCU – 4
Virginia Tech – 4
Washington – 4
Arkansas – 3
Buffalo – 3
Houston – 3
Indiana – 3
Louisville – 3
Mississippi State – 3
Ole Miss – 3
Oregon State – 3
SMU – 3
Syracuse – 3
Tennessee – 3
Texas Tech – 3
UCF – 3
Wake Forest – 3
Arizona – 2
Arizona State – 2
Arkansas State – 2
Boston College – 2
California – 2
Illinois State – 2
Kansas State – 2
Louisiana-Lafayette – 2
Marshall – 2
Memphis – 2
Michigan State – 2
Minnesota – 2
North Dakota State – 2
Northern Iowa – 2
Purdue – 2
Tulane – 2
UAB – 2
UCLA – 2
Virginia – 2
Wisconsin – 2
West Virginia – 2
Western Michigan – 2
32 different programs are sending one player to the 2021 NFL Combine.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.
