Monday, the NFL extended invitations to wide receiver Nate Swift and offensive linemen Matt Slauson and Lydon Murtha for the NFL Combine February 20th through the 26th in Indinapolis. Defensive end Zach Potter, I-Back Marlon Lucky, and I-Back/Linebacker Cody Glenn were invited previously.
I was somewhat surprised that it took Nate Swift this long to get an invitation. While Swift wasn't a game breaker at receiver, he runs great routes and has great hands. In the right system, he has the makings of a fine possession receiver. How many times did Joe Ganz look for Swift this season on 3rd down? He's always had the knack for getting open and making the catch.
Not sure what happened to Slauson in his junior season; earlier in his career, I thought he had the makings of an early round pick in his sophomore season and went into the season on the Outland Trophy watch list. But in that discombobulated season, Slauson instead found himself on the bench.
Lydon Murtha arrived at Nebraska with NFL size and credentials, but never really set the world on fire. Plagued by injuries throughout his career, he was known early on for being slow off the snap and frequently missing assignments. He might be a project for an NFL team that puts more credence on measurables than on game tape.
Zach Potter is a definite NFL draft pick in my opinion. He's got the size and speed to play at the next level, as his play towards the end of the season showed. NFL guys have to love his reach as well, as he deflected several passes at key times.
Marlon Lucky has "3rd down back" written all over him. He shows good hands and picks up the blitz well, which probably will get him a very serious look on draft day. One thing I regret never seeing from Lucky was him on kickoff and punt returns, except during his freshman season. In his freshman season, he took a kickoff return for a touchdown, but it was called back for a penalty. Lucky showed great speed in the open field, which would seem to be tailor made for the return game.
Cody Glenn always seemed to find a way to get off the field at Nebraska. On the field, he looked like an all-conference running back and linebacker, but for various reasons, his playing time was always limited. Injuries were frequently given as the reason, though it now appears that might have been an excuse at times. Then in his senior season, he abruptly was suspended for an internal rules violation. That'll raise some concerns with NFL teams, and Glenn can expect to be grilled harshly on it.