The NFL Combine is a pre-draft event where top college football players showcase their talents in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams. Players are turned into products as their numbers and scores become more valuable than their records and history.
USF defensive tackle Cory Grissom, linebacker Sam Barrington, and cornerback Kayvon Webster were invited to participate at the NFL Combine, hoping to open some eyes while proving critics wrong.
Who will be the steal of the draft? Sometimes it’s someone scouts least expect, someone who comes out of nowhere. That’s the purpose of the combine, and it’s what draws viewers.
Cory “Pork Chop” Grissom fits the definition of a nose tackle. He’s somebody who can clog up the middle of an offensive line, allowing other defensive players to make plays. His large midsection and strong legs help him create a powerful punch when attacking off the line. The space-eating nose tackle is a player who could solidify many teams’ run-defense.
What the big man possesses in strength, he lacks in speed. The 5.31 40-yard dash time he posted wasn’t the worst of the defensive lineman, but one of the slowest. His lack of speed wasn’t a surprise, but proves he might have a hard time making plays outside the box or in the backfield.
Grissom’s major weakness is his history of injury. During his career, Grissom had experienced ankle problems in the beginning of his senior year.
According to NFL.com, he is ranked 18 out of 218 defensive tackles. When healthy, Cory Grissom looks like a mid-round pick and eventual starter, but due to his history of injury, he will likely be drafted in the late rounds.
NFLdraftscout.com ranked Barrington 15th out of 147 linebackers, and projected him to be a 7th-round draft pick. Barrington did what was expected of him. Even though his 40-yard dash time was a little disappointing, his stock stayed about the same. The rest of his numbers landed around the middle of the pack and the Florida native received a grade of 53.
In his four-year career at South Florida, Barrington followed a good junior year with an even better senior year. In 2012, the linebacker recorded 80 total tackles and 3.5 sacks (both career highs), helping him earn second-team All-Big East honors. Durability isn’t in question with Barrington, as he played in all but one game with USF.
The athletic linebacker bench-pressed 22 reps of 225 pounds. His strength and athleticism could allow him to become a serviceable player in the NFL, but his disappointing 40 time might hurt his chances of being drafted. If he does get drafted it’s going to be late, as nfldraftscout.com is projecting him to be a seventh-round draft pick or possibly an un-drafted free agent.
Known for his physical prowess and ability to jam receivers, Webster is a very aggressive corner who earned All-Big East second team honors in 2011. He followed his successful junior year with 82 tackles, two sacks and three forced fumbles his senior year. Webster didn’t miss a game during his four-year career.
Webster’s 40-yeard dash time proves he can keep up with most NFL wide receivers and his bench press score suggests he is capable of getting physical at the line of scrimmage. There is a high demand for cornerbacks, and the Tampa Bay Bucs have issues in the secondary. Maybe they take a chance on the Florida native in the late rounds. Nfldraftscout.com has projected the USF cornerback will go in the seventh round or will possibly be undrafted.
Given the fact that physical defensive backs are so valuable in the NFL today, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he gets drafted and goes earlier than people might expect.
Justin Romaine is a correspondent at The Crow’s Nest. He can be reached at jromaine
Photo contributed by USF Athletics.
