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to work out is a big deal, and it’s why one of the player agents was so upset over his client’s Combine invite being rescinded.

Prospects Jeffery Simmons, Preston Williams not invited to combine due to violence

Two NFL prospects have been barred from taking part in the NFL Scouting Combine later this month due to legal trouble that involves allegations of getting into a physical altercation with a woman.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons and Colorado State wide receiver Preston Williams have been informed they will not be invited to the Combine due to issues involving violence. Both players were arrested in the past following allegations that they assaulted women.

Simmons was arrested in 2016 after a physical altercation with a woman. Williams was arrested in 2017 for an altercation involving a woman. They are the only two known to be barred under this year, sources say, but invitations have been rescinded in past after background checks.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 31, 2019

Williams’ arrest came in 2017, and he ended up receiving a deferred sentence for pleading guilty to a harassment charge. Simmons, who is considered a potential top-10 pick, was arrested in 2016 after a video surfaced that showed him and a woman punching and kicking another woman on the ground. He pleaded no contest to simple assault and disturbing the peace.

Players have been banned from the Combine in the past for drugs, arrests and other issues, so it’s possible Williams and Simmons won’t be the only two.

10 college football players off to impressive starts in 2018

It may be early, but we know who’s starting to stand out among college football’s elite players. They may not necessarily be household names, and they may not ultimately be Heisman contenders, but they’re absolutely stuffing the stat sheet and doing big things for their teams on both sides of the ball.

Here are ten college football players who have stood out so far in 2018.

Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Maybe Murray is going pro in the wrong sport. With 863 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception, he’s certainly looked the part of a star Oklahoma quarterback. He also adds a dual threat, with 169 yards rushing and two touchdowns so far. He’s been so good that he had one rival coach wishing he’d gone pro a year early. He’s looking like a promising early-season Heisman candidate through three games.

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