Louisiana Tech defensive end Jaylon Ferguson will not be allowed to attend the NFL Scouting Combine later this month because of an incident that took place several years ago, and his agent is furious with the league over the decision.
Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Wednesday that Ferguson, the NCAA’s all-time sack leader, was uninvited from the Combine after a background check revealed he was charged with simple battery during his freshman year. On Thursday, Ferguson’s agent Safarrah Lawson blasted the NFL for “vilifying the future players of the league” rather than affording them an opportunity to prove they have learned from their mistakes.
A strong statement from agent Safarrah Lawson on #LaTech prospect Jaylon Ferguson, whose invite to the Combine was rescinded yesterday. pic.twitter.com/KuETpnVhAO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 14, 2019
Ferguson’s charge stemmed from a fight at a McDonald’s restaurant, and Lawson described it as a “scuffle” between two teenagers that took place before the 23-year-old even began playing college football.
You could argue that what Ferguson did was not nearly as bad as the allegations against some other players who have been barred from the Combine, but the NFL is obviously trying to take a zero-tolerance stance. Not working out for teams at the Combine should not prevent Ferguson from being a high draft pick.
