NFL reportedly allowing uninvited Combine prospects to travel to Indianapolis

Three draft prospects uninvited from the NFL Combine will still get the chance to be in town for NFL teams interested in them.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Jaylon Ferguson, Jeffery Simmons, and Preston Williams, all removed from the Combine for previous off-field issues, will still get to go to Indianapolis and undergo the same medical evaluations that other prospects will. They will not, however, get the opportunity to work out or participate in other events.

The @NFL sent a memo to GMs and coaches informing them LA Tech DE Jaylon Ferguson, MSU DT Jeffery Simmons, and CSU WR Preston Williams will be permitted to travel to Indy to undergo the same comprehensive medical evaluations given to invited prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 15, 2019

These players will get transportation to Indy, along with meals and a hotel if they are required to stay overnight. These prospects will not be permitted to participate in any other Combine evals or events. https://t.co/EiRCEjGfjB

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 15, 2019

In other words, all three players will get full medical evaluations, but that’s basically it. The inability to work out is a big deal, and it’s why one of the player agents was so upset over his client’s Combine invite being rescinded.

Jaylon Ferguson’s agent rips NFL for rescinding Combine invitation

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A strong statement from agent Safarrah Lawson on #LaTech prospect Jaylon Ferguson, whose invite to the Combine was rescinded yesterday.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.

Report: Louisiana Tech star disinvited from Combine over off-field fight

A prominent defensive standout won’t be at the NFL Combine after a background check turned up some off-field issues.

Louisiana Tech’s Jaylon Ferguson, the all-time NCAA sack leader, was uninvited from the NFL Combine after the league discovered a simple battery charge from his freshman year at school stemming from a fight at a McDonald’s, according to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Ferguson was also charged with public intoxication in college.

NFL teams are aware of Ferguson’s incidents. He had been projected as a first-round pick before the allegations went public, and the rescinding of his invitation is league policy.

Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and Colorado State receiver Preston Williams were also blocked from attending the Combine, with both having previous publicly-reported incidents. Simmons also suffered a brutal injury ahead of the draft that will likely have further impacts on his stock.

10 players with most to gain at 2019 Senior Bowl

The 2019 East-West Shrine Game has now come and gone, leaving college prospects with one final on-field opportunity to put some film together and impress NFL scouts. That comes on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

In recent years, several prospects have put on a good show, ultimately earning themselves a greater value in the NFL Draft and going higher than initially projected. And while that isn’t a surprise or abnormality, it’s always difficult to predict who will ultimate shine through.

With that in mind, here’s a look at 10 players with the most to gain at the 2019 Senior Bowl.

10. Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo

Tyree Jackson isn’t the only UB player who will appear on this list, and that’s a testament to what Buffalo has been able to do in terms of recruiting over the last few years. And while Jackson may be considered a bit of a project entering the 2019 NFL Draft, it’s clear the talent is there. In 32 games at Buffalo, the 6-foot-7 Jackson completed 533 of his 955 passes for 6,999 yards, 49 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. His athleticism certainly isn’t the question, but his technique and decision-making are. If Jackson can find a way under center at the Senior Bowl and put on a strong showing, he’ll have an opportunity to improve his draft stock ahead of the NFL Combine.

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