Every year, the promise reappears: Dominate the Combine and NFL riches await.

It’s a marketing campaign without any guarantees. The only thing missing is “As seen on TV!”

The message was in full force this weekend, too. D.K. Metcalf  became the latest Combine King with his ridiculous performances in the 40 and bench press. Some believe, despite 3 years of football evidence suggesting otherwise, that he’s now a better NFL prospect than teammate A.J. Brown and a likely top 10 pick.

That’s the Combine’s lure. It’s the NFL’s version of batting practice.

Maybe Metcalf does turn all of his imposing, impressive physical gifts into a Julio Jones-like career.

Of course, some probably had the same thought about these 5 former SEC players who absolutely crushed their Combine, but not exactly the NFL.

Keith Marshall, Georgia

Marshall, on reconstructed knees, ran a blistering 4.31 40 at the 2016 NFL Combine. It was the culmination of a comeback story set, primarily it seemed, in the training room. Marshall’s time was the fastest of that Combine and remains tied for the 12th fastest in Combine history. It’s the 3rd-fastest turned in by a running back. Injuries aside, the number wasn’t particularly surprising. Marshall also was a track star in high school, winning the 100 meter dash in North Carolina’s highest classification.

The feel-good moment didn’t last long. Washington picked Marshall in the 7th round and signed him, but injuries prevented him from ever seeing the field.

Chad Jackson, Florida

Ron Zook’s Florida tenure was largely forgettable, but he uncovered a few gems. On a program known for speed, few in the world had more of that than Jackson.

Urban Meyer arrived in 2005, and that coincided with Jackson’s breakout season. He was the Gators’ biggest offensive threat, leading them in receptions (88), yards (900) and TD receptions (9).

He left early, so he missed out on the 2006 national title season, but his decision looked good after he ran a 4.32 in the 2006 Combine. That was the 3rd-fastest time that year and it reinforced his reputation as a game-breaker.

New England traded up to land Jackson in the second round, taking him 36th overall with visions of giving Tom Brady an outside weapon. His stay lasted fewer than 2 seasons and he was out of the league after 2008.

Onterio McCalebb, Auburn

McCalebb was a 4-star All-Purpose Back coming out of Florida in 2008. He had a career-year as a sophomore, rushing for 810 yards and 9 TDs and helping Cam Newton’s Tigers complete a perfect season. That was the high point of his 4 years on The Plains, but he still earned an invite to the 2013 Combine.

He ran a 4.34 40, the 2nd-fastest time recorded that year and tied for the 5th-fastest by an RB in Combine history.

You would think those SEC and Combine credentials would warrant a draft pick, even a late-round flier. Instead, McCalebb wasn’t selected and signed with Cincinnati as a UFA. He appeared in 1 game with the Bengals, spending most of his time on the practice squad or IR before being released in 2015.

Knile Davis, Arkansas

Here’s some trivia that might win you a round at your favorite watering hole: Which SEC running back had the most rushing yards in 2010? Most hardcore fans will remember that Cam Newton led the league in rushing in 2010. Davis finished second, but his 1,322 yards led all running backs.

Davis was on everybody’s preseason lists in 2011, but an ankle injury forced him to miss the season. He returned in 2012, but was a shell of his 2010 self.

He turned pro after that season and rekindled hope by running a 4.37 in the 2013 Combine. Among RBs, Only McCalebb was faster that year.

Kansas City picked Davis in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft. He was the 6th RB selected that year. Le’Veon Bell headlined that class, even though he lasted until the second round. Davis started 2 games in 4 years before being traded to Green Bay and released. He continued to bounce around training camps but hasn’t played in a game since 2015.

Jeff Owens, Georgia

There are 2 signature events at the Combine: The 40 and the 225-pound bench press.

In the Combine’s 19-year history, only 2 players have had more reps than Owens, who benched 225 44 times in 2010.

Owens arrived at Georgia as a highly-coveted 4-star defensive linemen out of Florida. It took him awhile to work his way up the depth chart, in part because of injuries, but he performed well enough as a senior to earn an invitation to the Combine.

He crushed every other DL in Indy, including Ndamukong Suh, who managed just 32 reps at 225, and Georgia teammate Geno Atkins, who finished with 34.

His performance didn’t pay dividends. Owens was picked in the 7th round and played in 1 game with the Philadelphia Eagles.