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3 surprise ACC invitees to the NFL Scouting Combine … and 3 surprise snubs
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Earning an invitation to the NFL’s Scouting Combine in Indianapolis doesn’t guarantee a player will be drafted.
Or even taken in a high round.
But it certainly can’t hurt his chances.
The event, also known as the Underwear Olympics, is an opportunity to show off for representatives of all 32 NFL teams both on the field in individual drills and in interviews. This year’s Combine is scheduled for Feb. 24-March 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Of the 329 players invited to participate, 58 of them played the 2024 season at ACC schools. At least 2 other high-profile invitees, quarterback Riley Leonard and receiver Beau Collins of Notre Dame, played the majority of their college careers in the conference.
Surprises
While most of the ACC representatives were expected to be included, led by projected 1st rounders Cam Ward of Miami and Barrett Carter of Clemson, some of those earning invitations were a surprise.
Let’s take a look at 3 of those players:
Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
A graduate transfer who played his first 4 seasons in the Ivy League at Yale, Hawes caught only 16 passes for 195 yards without a touchdown in his only season with the Yellow Jackets. His receiving ability, however, isn’t why he was invited to the Senior Bowl and now, the Combine.
At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he’s a physical, fundamentally sound blocker who can be used either as a tight end or in the backfield as an H-Back. The fact that he has good hands and catches the ball when it’s thrown to him is a plus.
Still, he’s the kind of player that flies under the radar. But he’s managed to catch the eye of the NFL scouts, first with his jump to the power conference level and even more with a strong performance against elite competition during the week of Senior Bowl practices.
Cam Horsley, DT, Boston College
Horsley is a run-stuffing nose tackle who recorded a career-high 42 tackles for the Eagles as a senior this season. He’s projected as a late third-day pick, at best, because of his limited skill set. But he’s got good size at 6-4, 306 and the strength to fight off blockers at the point of attack, giving him the potential to be a valuable rotational player at the next level.
He made a positive impression at the East-West Shrine Bowl with a surprising quickness that allowed him get past blockers and into the backfield. He built on a strong week of practice with a pair of quarterback hurries in the game in a performance that went a long way toward earning him his ticket to Indy.
Tyler Baron, Edge, Miami
Baron has the size and length at 6-5, 260 to look the part of an NFL edge rusher. But those assets are offset by a lack of natural quickness and a lower body strength that allows opposing blockers to gain leverage against him.
It also doesn’t help that as a 24-year-old who spent time on the roster of 4 different programs – Tennessee, Ole Miss and Louisville before landing at Miami this season, he’s “old” for an NFL rookie. But he’s experienced and he did record 5.5 sacks for a team that came within a game of playing for the ACC championship.
And he does look the part. That in itself is worth the extra look he’ll get at the Combine.
Snubs
These 3 ACC players weren’t invited to the Combine, even though they probably should have been:
Willie Lampkin, OG, North Carolina
Size might not matter in most aspects of life. But it still matters a lot when you’re an offensive line prospect who doesn’t fit the profile of an NFL offensive lineman. So even with an overall grade of 84.8 by Pro Football Focus that ranked him No. 1 overall among power conference guards and a strong performance at the Senior Bowl last month, Lampkin was left uninvited from the Combine.
Why?
Because at just 5-10, 270 pounds, he is shorter and lighter than an NFL offensive lineman is supposed to look. While participating at the Combine wouldn’t have changed those measurables, it would have provided him with another shot at convincing at least 1 team that his strength and quickness are more important than his size. Or lack of it.
Davin Vann, Edge, NC State
Vann wasn’t just a leader on the Wolfpack’s defense because of his sacks (6.5) and forced fumbles (6). It was also because of his presence both on the field and in the locker room. He was honored by coach Dave Doeren with the No. 1 jersey given to the NC State player who shows the best work ethic and leadership.
A versatile defensive lineman who has played both inside and outside effectively, Vann returned for a fifth college season in hopes of improving his draft stock. But it turned out to be a tactical mistake. Not because his skills diminished or because he didn’t improve enough. Rather, because this is such a strong class for edge rushers. Thirty-three players were invited to the Combine at that position, 8 more than a year ago, and Vann would apparently have been 1 too many.
Justin Barron, LB, Syracuse
A versatile athlete who started his career as a wide receiver, moved to safety and finished as a linebacker, Barron is a 2-time All-ACC performer who amassed 294 tackles, 2 interceptions and 14 pass breakups for the Orange.
He earned a Senior Bowl invitation after leading the Orange with 93 tackles while adding 9.5 TFLs, 2 sacks and an interception. But despite impressing the NFL scouts with his ability to play a hybrid role, his athleticism and a high level of skill in pass coverage, his physicality against the run during the week of practice for the all-star game left something to be desired and probably cost him a trip to Indy for the Combine.
Award-winning columnist Brett Friedlander has covered the ACC and college basketball since the 1980s.
