NFL

15 Things You Didn’t Know About the NFL Draft Combine

Fresh Videos

By @Alex_Drude

15 Things You Didn't Know About the NFL Draft Combine

Northwest Missouri State defensive back Brandon Dixon runs the shuttle run during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a tribute to the NFL’s reach that nearly 30 million people watch players do three-cone drills for four days in February. But while you’re taking mental notes of who you’d like your team to draft, here are 15 things you didn’t know about the Combine itself -- including its official name.

15. Not Officially Called 'The NFL Combine'

North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Dontae Johnson jumps up to loosen his legs before running the 40 yard dash during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

15. Not Officially Called 'The NFL Combine'

North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Dontae Johnson jumps up to loosen his legs before running the 40 yard dash during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The name is still officially the 'National Invitational Camp', named after 'The National'. That’s the NFL-sanctioned scouting organization that hosted the first player testing camps that we would recognize as Combine prototypes.

14. Tex Schramm Encouraged the Creation of the Combine

A portrait of Dallas Cowboys General Manager Tex Schramm in 1981. Tex Schramm was the Cowboys president and general manager from 1960 to 1989.
J. Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

14. Tex Schramm Encouraged the Creation of the Combine

A portrait of Dallas Cowboys General Manager Tex Schramm in 1981. Tex Schramm was the Cowboys president and general manager from 1960 to 1989.
J. Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

For many years, players had to go to every individual team for workouts, medical tests and other things that the Combine does. Legendary Dallas Cowboys GM Tex Schramm pushed the NFL competition committee to have all these tests happen in one place so players didn’t get poked and prodded as much.

13. First All-Team Combine Was 1985

From left San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh , Baltimore Ravens coaches Cam Cameron and John Harbaugh scout and watch the workouts during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

13. First All-Team Combine Was 1985

From left San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh , Baltimore Ravens coaches Cam Cameron and John Harbaugh scout and watch the workouts during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

After a few years where three different NFL scouting organizations (including the aforementioned 'The National') held three different combines at three different times, the first all-team combine was held in New Orleans in 1985.

12. Permanently Moved To Indianapolis In 1987

Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Brock Vereen catches a pass during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

12. Permanently Moved To Indianapolis In 1987

Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Brock Vereen catches a pass during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Due to its central location and ability to easily host a large number of people, the RCA Dome in Indianapolis became the Combine’s permanent home in 1987. Even while Lucas Oil Stadium (shown during the 2014 Combine) was being built, there has been no serious proposal to move the Combine anywhere else since.

11. Media Not Allowed To Attend For Nearly 20 Years

Oregon State Scott Crichton speaks to the media during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

11. Media Not Allowed To Attend For Nearly 20 Years

Oregon State Scott Crichton speaks to the media during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

For many years the combine was something talked about but never seen, since all reporters and photographers were banned from attending from its earliest incarnations through 2003.

10. First Shown On TV In 2004

NFL Network announcer Rich Eisen broadcasting during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

10. First Shown On TV In 2004

NFL Network announcer Rich Eisen broadcasting during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

However, with the creation of the league-run NFL network in 2003, that channel needed programming, especially once the season was over. The first combine broadcast in 2004 was a daily, one-hour recap show. Now, NFL Network shows about 30 hours live from Indy, including analysis and player interviews. Unlike the draft, which is shown by both the NFL Network and ESPN, the Combine is an NFL Network exclusive.

9. About 330 Players Invited

The first group of defensive backs get instructions during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

9. About 330 Players Invited

The first group of defensive backs get instructions during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The goal of the Combine is to include every player who will be taken in the upcoming draft. Since there are seven rounds and 32 teams, plus a few compensatory picks, the NFL invites about 100 more players than there are draft spots.

8. 250 Players Are Invited Before Bowl Season

South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney jumps the long jump during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

8. 250 Players Are Invited Before Bowl Season

South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney jumps the long jump during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The players invited before bowl season are obviously seniors. Since any early-entry player is likely to be drafted highly, the NFL holds about 75 spots in reserve for guys like Jadeveon Clowney (shown), who was taken first overall last year.

7. Regional Combines Began In 2011

A general view of the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center during kicker tryouts.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

7. Regional Combines Began In 2011

A general view of the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center during kicker tryouts.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Even by inviting 100 more players than there are draft spots, some eventual draftees have not gotten Combine invites. To try and prevent missing on those guys, regional Combines for players who didn’t get invited to the “big camp” began in 2011 (the picture is from 2013 Regionals at the New York Jets' training facility). This year’s Regionals are in Miami, Houston, Denver, Baltimore and Chicago, with a 'Best of the Regionals' Combine in Phoenix.

6. There Will Be A Free Agent Combine For the First Time This Year

New England Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco before Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

6. There Will Be A Free Agent Combine For the First Time This Year

New England Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco before Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The day after the 'Best of the Regionals' rookie Combine in Phoenix, there will be an NFL-sanctioned free agent combine in the same place for the first time. This will be a chance for veteran players wanting to catch on somewhere to show their stuff to all clubs instead of individual workouts, like rookies had to do in the days before the regular Combine. Might we see 37-year-old Chad Ochocinco? Unlike rookies, vets have to pay their own way.

5. Teams Can Interview Up To 60 Different Players

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel speaks to the media in a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

5. Teams Can Interview Up To 60 Different Players

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel speaks to the media in a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

With all these guys in the same place, teams are allowed to interview up to 60 players in 15-minute intervals. Otherwise, some teams might try and monopolize a player’s time to keep them from other organizations. Teams are even allowed to “buddy up” to interview the same player at the same time. The NFL gives teams no other guidelines, so the questions can get very interesting.

4. Position Specific Drills

Delaware defensive lineman Zachariah Kerr runs through drills during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

4. Position Specific Drills

Delaware defensive lineman Zachariah Kerr runs through drills during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

You wouldn’t ask a lineman to run routes, and you wouldn’t ask a running back to punt. In addition to the dashes and the jumps, players are asked to do things that only they would normally be asked to do in a game.

3. The Wonderlic Is Set Up So Players Don’t Finish It

From left to right: quarterbacks Tennessee Volunteers Tyler Bray (2), Louisiana Tech Colby Cameron, Oklahoma Sooners Landry Jones (7), North Carolina State Wolfpack Mike Glennon (5), Kansas State Wildcats Collin Klein (8), and Minnesota Golden Gophers Marqueis Gray (8) get instructions on a passing drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

3. The Wonderlic Is Set Up So Players Don’t Finish It

From left to right: quarterbacks Tennessee Volunteers Tyler Bray (2), Louisiana Tech Colby Cameron, Oklahoma Sooners Landry Jones (7), North Carolina State Wolfpack Mike Glennon (5), Kansas State Wildcats Collin Klein (8), and Minnesota Golden Gophers Marqueis Gray (8) get instructions on a passing drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The most talked-about test at the Combine isn’t anything on the field. Although developed in the 1930’s, the innovative Cowboys (remember how Tex Schramm encouraged creation of the combine?) first gave the Wonderlic to prospective players in the early 1970’s. There’s a 12-minute time limit for the 50-question exam, which all-but guarantees that most players won’t finish it.

2. Injured Players Still Come To the Combine

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Eddie Lacy who is injured watches the workouts from the sideline during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

2. Injured Players Still Come To the Combine

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Eddie Lacy who is injured watches the workouts from the sideline during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Because of the battery of medical and off-the-field testing at the combine, rarely will an injured player turn down an invite. They may not participate in the athletic competitions, but can still take the other tests to show that they’re on the road to recovery and worth a draft spot. For example, injured running back Eddie Lacy came to Indy in 2013 (shown) and ended up getting picked in the second round by the Green Bay Packers.

1. Players Are Only Required To Bring Running Shoes

Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Kyle Long changes pair of shoes during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

1. Players Are Only Required To Bring Running Shoes

Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Kyle Long changes pair of shoes during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The only thing players are required to bring to Indianapolis are their own running shoes. The Combine supplies all workout gear, although players are encouraged to bring warm-up clothes and things to do during downtime.

Alex Drude is a Pac-12 writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Alex_Drude. “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on