NFL Scouting Combine: Grading The Performances Of The 6 Sun Devils

The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine is over, and for the most part, the Arizona State Sun Devils can say "good riddance".

Six players made the trip to Indianapolis to the league's premier pre-draft exhibition, and the results ranged from slightly above-average to outright disaster. None of the players did much to greatly enhance their draft stock, while there was one performance that was nothing short of an embarrassment that has the player being dropped from many boards.

Thankfully, this is far from the end of the draft process. ASU will hold its Pro Day on March 16th, and players will be worked out and interviewed by individual teams repeatedly over the next two months. This provides a chance to add to one's momentum or reverse a slide.

Here is the breakdown and grade for each of the six Sun Devils that were invited to the Combine.

Omar Bolden, Cornerback

The most popular Sun Devil is recent memory is still on the comeback trail following the ACL tear suffered last April, which prevented him from participating in key Combine workouts such as the 40-yard dash.

That didn't prevent him from making an impact. He did participate in one event, and in typical Bolden fashion, he dominated it. Taking part in the bench press event, Bolden did 24 repetitions of 225 pounds, which was the highest total among the 47 participating defensive backs.

ASU's Pro Day is March 16th, so at some point Bolden will need to post strong numbers in the other events to prove his recovery is nearly complete. But as he has proven time after time, he is a player and a person that can be counted upon.

Combine Grade: Incomplete (but a strong incomplete)

Vontaze Burfict, Linebacker

No draft-eligible player came into Indianapolis with more question marks than Burfict, and based on his performance, many of those were answered in a resoundingly negative fashion.

It began with a terrible interview on Sunday, in which he placed the blame for his terrible junior season on everyone but himself, and said other things which bordered on delusion. That was only the beginning of his horrible performance.

The linebackers worked out on Monday, and with whispers he could barely manage 10 bench press repetitions, he skipped that event. He then ran a glacial 5.09 in the 40-yard dash, the slowest figure among all linebackers. That was followed by a weak 30-inch vertical leap, better only than USC's Chris Galippo. A measly 105-inch broad jump again placed Burfict last among the group. After those "performances", Burfict wisely skipped the agility and quickness drills.

A sure-fire first round pick six months ago, Burfict is now in danger of going undrafted. His huge hole is now dug so much deeper, and he'll need a miraculous recovery over the next two months to undo the damage done in Indy.

Combine Grade: F

Garth Gerhart, Center

Gerhart is a player who some feel could be a mid-round pick, while others think may go undrafted. After an encouraging Combine performance, he now may be safely among the drafted.

It's no secret that Gerhart was undersized for an NFL interior lineman, but his official measurements of 6'1" and 305 pounds were still solid.

Not surprisingly, Gerhart did best in the quickness and agility drills. He finished sixth among the 47 participating linemen in the vertical (30.5"), ninth in the three-cone drill (4.63 seconds) and 13th in the 20-yard shuttle (4.65 seconds). Conversely, he struggled in the power and explosion based events, with just 25 bench press reps (finishing 25th) and his worst finish came in the broad jump, where his 96" leap was ranked just 34th.

Overall, his time in Indianapolis was a positive from which he came continue to build upon. He still projects as a developmental player, but with his intelligence and ferocity, he can develop his strength over time and could eventually work his way into a starting lineup.

Combine Grade: B-

Jamaar Jarrett, Defensive End

Jarrett came into the Combine as a fringe prospect, a player than needed a strong pre-draft season in order to hear his name called during the draft. He measured in on the lighter side for a defensive end at 265 pounds, which is causing many to project him as an end in a 3-4 scheme.

He did well in the quickness and explosion drills, finishing 13th among all defensive linemen in the broad jump and 20-yard shuttle. Yet, the most worrisome issue was his strength, in which he posted the third fewest bench press reps of 225 pounds with just 21.

Barring a strong next two months, Jarrett's most likely route to the NFL may be as an undrafted free agent.

Combine Grade: C-

Brock Osweiler, Quarterback

ASU's shiniest star and a fringe first round prospect, Osweiler elected not to take part in any drills at the Combine. Instead, he will take part not in ASU's Pro Day on March 16th, but a workout at on March 30th.

The biggest splash Osweiler made at the Combine was, not surprisingly, with his height. As every TV announcer made note of ad nauseam throughout the season, Osweiler was listed as 6'8", but during the official measurements, he came in at 6'6 7/8". That lost 1 1/8" actually is being considered a positive, given that some believe that it makes him less gangly. In reality, it's meaningless.

Combine Grade: Incomplete

Gerell Robinson, Wide Receiver

ASU wide receivers have a less than stellar recent history in the NFL, and Robinson is looking reverse that trend. After the Combine, he'll need some help.

He measure in as one of the biggest receivers there, at 6'3 1/8" and 227 pounds, as well as having some of the biggest hands of any wide receiver at 10 1/8". Everyone knew that Robinson had excellent size for the position, so the majority of the questions surrounding him centered in his speed and quickness.

His 40-yard dash time of 4.62 was a disappointment. A time in the low 4.5s could have really helped him, especially in the popular comparison he's been getting to the Saints' Marques Colston. However, 4.62 did nothing to help him standout. Robinson's figures in the two explosive drills--35.5" in the vertical leap and 113" in the broad jump--ranged from the middle to the back of the wide receiver pack. He did better in the 20-yard shuttle, which tests lateral quickness, with a time of 4.15, 12th among wide receivers.

A few drops during passing drills didn't help his case, but overall Robinson's draft position didn't fluctuate too much over the weekend. He remains a late-round prospect, perhaps in the 6th to 7th round range. Improving his speed over the next several weeks is crucial, and given the kind of drive we've seen from him this year, it's hard to bet against him.

Combine Grade: C

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