Jones, Rochell Get NFL Combine Invitations
At least two former Notre Dame players will represent the Irish at the NFL Combine, which will take place in Indianapolis from Feb. 28 through March 6.
Defensive tackle Jarron Jones and defensive end Isaac Rochell have both indicated that they received invitations to the annual NFL workout.
Jones was at times Notre Dame’s best defensive player in 2016. The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder had 45 tackles, two sacks and a team-high 11 tackles for loss as a fifth-year senior. He had a dominant game against Miami, recording seven tackles, including six for a loss and one sack.
the 6-4, 290-pound Rochell had 55 tackles, one sack and seven tackles for loss as a senior team captain.
It’s likely that several other Notre Dame players will be invited to the combine.
Quarterback DeShone Kizer, who declared for the draft last month, is a likely participant, though some quarterbacks do not take part in the throwing drills at the combine.
Kizer is projected to be Notre Dame’s highest selection this year, and is featured in many first-round mock drafts.
Cornerback Cole Luke, running back Tarean Folston and linebacker James Onwualu are the other candidates to receive combine invitations. Bleacher Report projects that Luke will land in the fourth round, Folston in the fifth and Onwualu in the sixth.
Notre Dame’s other draft eligible prospects — offensive linemen Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson — have until Jan. 16 to declare for the draft. Both have indicated that they will likely return for another season.
Ten former Notre Dame players got invitations last year, which ranked second in the nation behind Ohio State, which landed a remarkable 14.
In 2015, three former Irish players participated in the combine while nine traveled to Indianapolis in 2014. Following Kelly’s first three seasons, Notre Dame landed invites for three, six and eight players, respectively.
The 2017 NFL Draft will be held April 27-29 in Philadelphia.
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