How Recruits Can Learn from the NFL Combine
February 23rd, 2009 - byThe eyes of pro football scouts are focused on Indianapolis today for the NFL Combine. The nation’s elite prospects will be under tremendous scrutiny as they try to convince pro teams that they are worth a multimillion dollar contract. However, potential high school recruits can learn a lot about the evaluation process by paying attention to the stories that will emerge during the week.
-Numbers Matter -No, not actual stats like touchdowns or tackles, but heights, weights, strength and speed numbers. 
Scouts spend hours pouring over these numbers attempting to relate them to the ability to succeed at the next level. College coaches do the same thing.
Naturally, all of the athletes have spent the last month preparing for these drills and arriving in peak condition. High school recruits need to recognize the importance of these numbers and do the same. All speed drills should be practiced prior to attending a combine. Recruits should constantly be practicing and working to improve their combine performance. Just arriving and performing is not an option.
-Your Personality Matters- Most fans don’t realize the importance many teams place on face to face interviews as well as a variety of tests that teams use to get a better handle on a players personality and intelligence. Prospects have fallen several slots after poor intelligence test caused doubts that a player can handle the mental aspect of playing the game at a high level.
Recruits should understand that their grades and test scores are also viewed by college coaches to gauge their ability to contribute to a school. Recruits should take the time to visit schools to build relationships with college coaches. The more comfortable a coach feels with a recruit, the better his chances of receiving a schoalrship offer.
If you are still doubtful about the importance of combines take a look at the weekend’s big story; the disastrous appearance and then disappearance by Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith. Prior to last weekend he was viewed by scouts as a potentially overall number one pick. A player that a franchise could invest up to $50 million dollars in to be the cornerstone of an offensive line for the next 10 years. Andre arrived at the combine out of shape, refused to take part in the individual drills is rumored to have bombed his interviews and to cap things off he strangely disappeared and left the event early. Needless to say his stock is bombing.
The large majority of these elite prospects prepared diligently for the event. They correctly view the combine as part of a job interview process reaching its final stage. Every potential recruit needs to view their efforts to land a scholarship in the same way arrive for their interviews prepared.
