The Oregon Ducks Made Their Presence Felt in the NFL Combine

Over the last weekend, 335 colligate football athletes participated in the 41st NFL Combine—of those 335 athletes; four were Oregon Ducks alumni.

Dion Jordan had one of the best Combines for any defensive lineman this year, running an official 4.60 40-yard dash time. He topped the defensive lineman group in the broad jump leaping 122 inches; the 20-yard shuttle clocking in at 4.35 seconds; and the 40-yard dash.

[caption id="attachment_206" align="alignleft" width="210" caption="Dion Jordan works out with the defensive linemen at the Combine."][/caption]

Jordan was a consensus first-round draft pick before the Combine, projected as a Top 20 pick, but after his performance some analysts have him being taken in the Top 5. If this were the case, Jordan would become the Ducks’ first defensive player to be taken in the Top 10 of the NFL Draft.

Dion Jordan saw his stock rise to all new levels this past weekend, making his Combine grade an A+.

Kenjon Barner had a good showing this past weekend amongst a very lackluster bunch of running backs. He topped all running backs in vertical leap, jumping 35.5 inches; the 3-cone drill clocking in at 6.87 seconds; and the 60-yard shuttle running it in an amazing 11.33 seconds.

Barner elevated his already growing stock with quite the showing over the weekend. He is still due to be drafted in the later rounds, but proved to NFL scouts that he is ready to be a successful running back and kick/punt returner.

With Barner’s productive performance his Combine grade is a B-, he was good- but not great.

Offensive lineman Kyle Long had a successful weekend at the Combine, bringing his name to the foreground, as this year’s offensive lineman group seems to be one of the best in decades. Long surprised scouts with his impressive 4.94 40-yard dash time, while finding himself in the middle of the pack for the rest of his drills.

Long has the last name that will get him drafted alone, but after this year’s productivity on top of his work at the Combine, he has proven that he is more than just the son of Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long.

Kyle Long has cemented himself as a 2^nd round draft pick in this upcoming draft making his Combine grade a B+.

[caption id="attachment_214" align="alignleft" width="222" caption="John Boyett is an extremely athletic safety trying to prove himself "][/caption]

Safety John Boyett only did one drill this past weekend, as his knees are still not 100% healed from corrective surgery. In his one drill he bested all other safeties lifting 225 pounds 27 times.

Boyett isn’t the tallest man in the Draft pool, but he has shown he could potentially be one of the strongest. Missing all but one game last year has immensely hurt his draft stock and could potentially go undrafted in April.

For the one drill that Boyett did participate in his Combine grade is an A+, but his prospect grade for NFL Scouts is a D+; projecting that he gets drafted no earlier than the 5^th round.

There was another Oregon Duck that was invited to the Combine, inside linebacker Kiko Alonso, but did not participate in any of the drills. This reason is unknown, maybe he is waiting for his Pro Day, maybe he is hurt, etc.; but nonetheless, this did not help his draft stock one bit.

Alonso has an amazing athletic skill set that includes all the intangibles to be a productive backup/starter in the NFL, but lacks the ability it takes to master an NFL playbook. I have seen some analysts say he is a 4^th/5^th round talent, others have him going undrafted.

Hopefully he puts together one heck of a Pro Day in Eugene, but I wouldn’t hold your breath in anticipation. Alonso’s Combine grade is an F, for the sheer fact that he didn’t participate- the one area no one has questioned him on.

[caption id="attachment_208" align="alignright" width="153" caption="Kyle Long sprints into the 2nd round."][/caption]

All in all, this was a good weekend for the Duck Alumni as they prepare for their next football adventure. Dion Jordan impressed everyone with his athleticism and skills; Kenjon Barner proved to scouts that he is a talent worth gambling on; Kyle Long showed that he is ready to embrace the shadows that his father and brother has casted on the NFL; and John Boyett proved that he is in great shape and a good Pro Day will solidify that.

Oregon’s Pro Day is scheduled for March 14, according to NFL.com.