Three players with state connections – Washington State FS Deone Bucannon and University of Washington players Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Bishop Sankey – are among 335 players scheduled participate in the NFL combine in Indianapolis starting Wednesday. The combine runs through Feb. 25 at Lucas Oil Stadium and includes workouts, medical examinations and psychological testing for the benefit of NFL scouts.
Bucannon, who played four years for the Cougars, made first-team All-Pac-12 in 2013 after compiling a team-high 114 tackles, including 4.5 for loss. He also forced three fumbles, had six interceptions and was one of the best hitters in the conference.
In most mock drafts, Bucannon falls between the second and fourth rounds. CBSSports.com rates him as the 82nd-best prospect in the draft and second-best player at his position.
The 6-foot-6, 276-pound Seferian-Jenkins established virtually all of Washington’s records for a tight end, finishing his career with 146 catches for 1,840 yards and 21 touchdowns in three seasons. He won the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end following the 2013 season.
Seferian-Jenkins projects as second-round pick who could move up based on workouts in Indianapolis. CBSSports.com ranks Seferian-Jenkins as the 45th-best prospect in the draft and the No. 3 tight end.
“I’ve done everything I can at the University of Washington. I know I’m ready for the NFL,” Seferian-Jenkins said.
Like Seferian-Jenkins, Sankey will forgo his final season of college eligibility.
“The time is right,” Sankey said after Washington’s appearance in the Fight Hunger Bowl. “I’ve proven what I needed to prove. I have to look at the position I play and the number of carries.”
The 5-foot-10, 203-pound Sankey ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Brigham Young. That performance capped a superb junior season in which Sankey ran for 1,870 yards and 20 touchdowns, breaking Corey Dillon’s single-season school rushing record.
Most mock drafts project Sankey as a second-round pick at best, a third rounder at worst. CBSSports.com ranks Sankey as the 63rd-best prospect in the draft and the No. 4 running back.
Among those not invited was UW QB Keith Price, who conveyed his dismay in a tweet Feb. 7:
Feeling disrespected. Note to self: Tune it out and keep your focus. #ambitious #positivevibes
— Keith Price (@KeithPrice17) February 7, 2014
A combine snub doesn’t preclude a player from being drafted, but does cut his exposure. The UW and most big schools typically have a “pro day” of workouts where scouts can get second (or first) looks at players before the draft.
The draft is May 8-10.
10 Comments
Everybody is putting together mock drafts and one publication suggested Seattle will take Austin Seferian-Jenkins with the last pick in the 1st round. If Miller becomes a cap casualty they might need an extra tight end on the roster. Thats if Tom Cable and company can teach him to block better and do all of things expected of a Seattle TE…he has the athletic skill set and size Seattle Covets. Guess we will find out soon enough if we will be shopping for that position.
Price deserved better than to be shunned but he is probably looking at Malcolm Smith as to why he doesnt need the gravy publicity if he truly believes in himself. He may not out do Russell Wilson in work ethic but he is close.
ASJ has been slipping down draft boards since the start of the season and I can see why. He has a ton of talent and potential but he’s had that from day one and hasn’t developed much. It’s been known he has to improve as a blocker since his freshman year but he’s never seemed to take much interest. He’ll make a decent third down pass catching TE right now, beyond that he’s a project. He’s a local kid and a Husky so I’ll be rooting for him, but I wouldn’t pick him high.
ASJ isn’t as valued as a pro because of his indifferent blocking. He’s not the receiver than NO’s Graham is, and he doesn’t block as well as Miller. Not that he will be a poor pro, but unless he dazzles at the combine, hard to see hm moving out of the third round.
Doug Nussmeier was the OC for Price through 2011, then he left for Bama.
2012 and 2013, Prices’ crumby years, the OC was Eric Kiesau, a major step down much to the detriment of Price’s learning the position.
If DN had been there price would be at the combine, no question.
Saban is no fool.
To me Price is the most intriguing of this Husky class. If he could regain some of that confident free-wheeling style he had as a sophomore, he could be a steal as a late round pick. I wouldn’t mind seeing him as the back-up to Russell Wilson.
Great idea – If we can get Price with a later round choice he’d be a steal. He can be coached up and given 1-2 years can be an excellent backup, at least.
Not so fast. See above. Seahawks would rather have a vet in that spot.
Seahawks are thrilled that T-Jack is a vet who knows is role and is respected throughout the roster.
True. I was thinking more a few years down the line, after a stint as a third, mostly inactive QB.
Price and Nussmeier were close, and it wasn’t the same for him after he left. But to be a pro, he’ll have to learn to deal with turnover. Tui was his mentor his sr yr, and Tui was more loyal to Sark than UW.