LSU Players Dominant at NFL Scouting Combine

LSU is able to put more players into the NFL than any other school because Les Miles has mastered every step of the process. He consistently recruits Top 10 classes that are loaded with 4 and 5 star prospects.

He places them under coaches with a track record of preparing athletes for NFL success. The LSU training staff and facilities are the best in the business.

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Once these athletes are ready to play they go up against top competition in the SEC West, of course, and that is a decisive factor for most teams. Before they enter the draft they all have to go through a workout either at their pro day or at the NFL Scouting combine.

This is where LSU’s tremendous training staff and infrastructure really pays off. LSU players regularly put on a show for scouts at the combine, and this year was no different.

6 LSU players were invited to this years combine: OL La’el Collins, RB Terrence Magee, RB Kenny Hilliard, DE Danielle Hunter, and LB Kwon Alexander. Jermauria Rasco will work out for scouts at LSU’s pro day on March 27.

La’el Collins is expected to go in the first half of the first round, but questions remain over what position he will play in the pros. He may have answered them this weekend. He is a bit short for tackle, but his arm length measured out in NFL range, which means he could still project to play outside.

Collins big number was his 5.12 second 40 yard dash. That is an elite time. His bench press and vertical weren’t off the charts but they were where they need to be, his shuttle and cone drills were excellent.

Jan 22, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad offensive guards Arie Kouandjio of Alabama (77) and La’el Collins of LSU (70) run through blocking drills during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Collins walked into the combine as a guy who would likely move inside to guard, he walks out as a superior athlete who can play inside or outside. This is a big boost for him and should lock up his first round status.

Kwon Alexander put together a great combine workout. He has some issues on tape. LSU fans will know that in some games he looked like Ray Lewis and in others he looked like the invisible man. Add to that his lack of ideal size and he looked like a high risk prospect.

That was before he ran a 4.55 second 40 at the combine.

That’s very close to top WR and DB speed. It’s also every down LB who can pass protect and make plays sideline to sideline speed. It was exactly the kind of performance Alexander needed to catch everyone’s attention.

Danielle Hunter may have helped himself more than anyone at the combine. His 40 time of 4.57 led all defensive linemen and he put up very good numbers in all the other categories.

Hunter was one of the guys being talked about the most after the workouts, with the name Jason Pierre Paul being bandied about as the closest NFL comparison. He could have moved himself into contention for a Top 10 pick.

Jalen Collins is going to be drafted early by some team in the corner hungry NFL, the only question is just how early he will go. Some thought he could vault himself up into the first round with a great workout at the combine.

What he did was solidify an impression of him as a solid but not spectacular player who will help someone without becoming a star.

Jalen was in the Top 10 of most workout categories. Of course 40 is the big one for corners, his 4.48 time is good but not the kind of eye popping number that talks a GM into gambling.

He can still go in the first round based on game production, his numbers certainly didn’t hurt him. They didn’t make him jump off the page either, so unless something changes at his pro day he is as likely to slip to the 2nd as rise to the 1st.

Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard probably needed the most help from their combine workouts and got the least.

Magee looks more and more like an undrafted free agent prospect who will need to make something happen on special teams just to make a roster.

Kenny Hilliard might be joining him in that category after failing to impress as a second option at RB for a team.

Hilliard in particular had a disappointing stay in Indy. He made his reputation at LSU as a speed back and had plenty of long carries to prove the rep. His 4.83 40 time was really weak. He will have to improve at his pro day or he risks falling completely off the draft board.

All in all it was a good weekend for LSU football. The numbers weren’t there like they were for last years unbelievable draft group, but the quality was.

Kwon Alexander and Danielle Hunter both logged the fastest 40 times at their position, La’el Collins was close to the top in his group.

All three helped their cause tremendously and it looks like LSU is sure to have multiple first round picks in this years draft.

With Jalen Collins posting a solid workout and Kenny Hilliard leaving room to improve at his pro day it looks like LSU will be able to hold on to the title for having the most active players in the NFL.

Next: Is the Year of Readiness Proposal an Attack on the SEC?