by Kyle
With the bowl season and the all-star games over, several Kentucky football players are turning their focus to the NFL draft. The upcoming NFL Scouting Combine will be held February 24th through March 2nd in Indianapolis and much of it will be televised on the NFL Network. Kentucky will feature five players at this years combine: Micah Johnson, Trevard Lindley, Corey Peters, Sam Maxwell, and John Conner. Here’s a look at where the combine participants are predicted to go on draft day, and when you can catch them on television at the combine.
TREVARD LINDLEY – CORNERBACK
5’11 – 178 pounds
Lindley started the season as a probable first round pick, but after an injury plagued senior campaign he’s seen his draft stock slide considerably. Lindley is still rated as the #12 Cornerback by ESPN and is projected to be drafted anywhere from the third to fifth round. An increase in passing in the NFL has made Cornerbacks a premium position for teams and a good showing at the combine could raise his stock quite a bit. If you want to watch the workouts, the defensive backs will be working out from February 27th through March 2nd .
MICAH JOHNSON – LINEBACKER
6’2 – 256 pounds
Micah’s career at Kentucky was riddled by injuries forcing him to miss extended periods of time and this is likely to drop his draft stock as well. Johnson’s size should make him an intriguing prospect for teams that run a 3-4 defensive alignment, as he could play one of the two middle linebacker positions, but he also show promise as a pass rushing outside linebacker as well. He’s currently listed as the #11 Inside Linebacker prospect in this draft, but with a good showing at the combine, Johnson could boost his stock up to a 3rd round grade for the increasing number of teams utilizing the 3-4 defense. Linebacker workouts will be from February 26th through March 1st.
JOHN CONNER – FULLBACK
5’11 – 238 pounds
Most Kentucky fans consider John Conner’s contributions monumental to the success of the UK football program. Conner is currently projected as a fourth round pick, which is actually very high for a fullback. With a noticeable shift towards the passing game, fullbacks are being utilized less than in past years, but some teams that still use a power running game like the Steelers or the Bengals could try to grab Conner earlier than expected. ESPN and Draft guru Mel Kiper have Conner listed as the #2 Fullback prospect in the draft this year, and he will be going through combine workouts from February 25th through the 28th.
SAM MAXWELL
6’2 – 246 pounds
Maxwell burst onto the scene for his senior season to lead all NCAA linebackers in interceptions, and finishing tied for eight overall in the NCAA for interceptions with 6 on the year. Sam Maxwell is a different type of linebacker than Johnson, and fits better physically into a defense running a more traditional 4-3 alignment. He’s currently projected somewhere between the fourth and sixth rounds, but don’t be surprised is a great combine shoots this late-bloomer up into the second to third round range. He’s now considered the #25 Outside Linebacker prospect by ESPN. He’ll be working out with Micah from February 26th to March 1st.
COREY PETERS – DEFENSIVE TACKLE
6’3 – 295 pounds
Peters came to Kentucky as one of the highest rated prep players from this state in a while. He dominated Guards and Tackles game after game and made play after play in his opponent’s backfield. Peters’ ability to shoot gaps and penetrate the offensive line should get him drafted, but with the class of Defensive Tackles being so deep this year, he may not be drafted before the fifth or sixth round. As good as Peters was, he’s still only the #27 DT in this class per ESPN. He’ll be working out with the rest of the defensive line from March 26th to February 1st.
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