Six Hokies Invited to the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 28 through March 6, 2017. Before 2004 the Combine was not even televised. Over the last few years football fans have witnessed every aspect of the NFL’s talent assessment and selection process become showcased in the media. The 2017 Combine will be the first to offer several fan attractions and even the opportunity for a select few to watch the event live from within the stadium.

The specific number of athletes invited vary from year to year, based on the available talent, but the number normally hovers around 300. The players participate in several tests and evaluations.

- 40-yard dash

- Bench Press

- Vertical jump

- Broad jump

- 20-yard shuttle

- Three cone drill

- 60-yard shuttle

- Interviews

- Physical measurements

- Evaluation of injuries

- Drug test

- Cybex Test

- Wonderlic Test

- Position drills

Six student athletes, from Virginia Tech, have accepted invitations to the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine. The athletes that will represent the Hokies are QB Jerod Evans, WR Isaiah Ford, TE Bucky Hodges, RB Sam Rogers, DE Ken Ekanem, and DB Chuck Clark.

Jerod Evans, QB. Evans transferred from Trinity Valley Community College to play at VT during the 2016-2017 season. Many expected the surprise star to remain at Virginia Tech for the 2017-18 season, but he astonished all and declared for the draft shortly after the Hokies’ exciting comeback win over Arkansas at the Belk Bowl. ESPN currently lists the 23-year-old as 6 feet 4 inches and 235 lbs. Evans finished his only season with the Fighting Gobblers going 268-422 (63.5%), 3552 yards, 8.42 YPA, 29TDs, and eight interceptions. On the ground, Evans was just as impressive with 204 attempts, 846 yards, a 4.1-yard average, and 12 TDs. He leaves Virginia Tech holding the school’s single season QB records for touchdowns thrown, passing yards, total offense, completions, and rushing yards.

Isaiah Ford, WR. ESPN lists Ford at 6 feet 2 inches and 190 lbs. He spent three years at VT, and is another record-breaking player that has declared for the draft. Isaiah leaves the Hokies with 210 receptions, 2967 yards, 14.13 average yards per catch, 24 TDs, and a long of 75 yards. Ford holds the VPI record for receptions, total receiving yards, and receiving TDs. Isaiah Ford is the only WR to earn 1000 yards receiving in a season, which he did during both the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Bucky Hodges, TE. Yet another record holding Virginia Tech star has been invited to the combine. Hodges clocks in at 6 feet 7 inches and 245 lbs. In three seasons, he has accumulated 133 receptions, 1747 yards, 13.14 average, 20 TDs, and a long of 42 yards. Bucky holds VT tight end records for total receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

Sam Rogers, RB. Rogers is a truly fantastic story. Sam started out as a walk-on and finished being one of the few collegiate athletes invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Sam is listed as 5 feet 10 inches and 228 lbs. In four seasons he had 165 rushing attempts, 692 yards, a 4.19 average per carry, and four TDs. He also has 72 receptions, 802 yards, 11.14 yards per reception, seven TDs, and a long of 52 yards.

Ken Ekanem, DE. Ken is listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 255 lbs. While at VT the senior collected 131 tackles, 21.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Chuck Clark, S. ESPN lists Clark at 6 feet 1 inch and 204 lbs. Mr. Clark had 296 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 23 passes defended, and two interceptions.

Congratulations to all the student athletes that have earned an invitation to the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine. Stay tuned to Gobbler Country for further updates on their performance.

Go Hokies!