Preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine

As a student-athlete’s college football career draws to a close, one of the most important next steps that he must prepare for is the NFL Scouting Combine.

This grueling test of strength, speed, endurance and knowledge has a serious impact on an athlete’s prospects in the draft, and the competition is fierce. It isn’t at all uncommon for a player to exceed expectations during the combine and secure a better pick, nor is it uncommon for a player to under perform and be passed over in the draft. Doing well is all about preparation.

What is the Combine?

The week-long showcase at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis that is the NFL Scouting Combine was first put into place in 1982 at the suggestion of Tex Schramm, the former president and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys. Before this, teams had to schedule individual visits with players to test their abilities.

The tests included are rigorous and closely watched. The 40-yard dash and the 225 lb bench press are some of the most publicized, but teams also look at the vertical jump, broad jump, 20-yard shuttle, 3 cone drill, 60-yard shuttle and position-specific drills. Teams also conduct interviews, take physical measurements, evaluate existing injuries, do a drug screening and look at the Cybex and Wonderlic test before making their decisions.

Preparing for the Combine

Even over the last 10 years, combine preparation has advanced dramatically. Where in the past, players may have used little more than the equipment available at their college or a personal trainer. However, today, the process is down to a science. Multi-million dollar facilities – decked with top-of-the-line equipment and staff – help NFL hopefuls to shave tenths of a second off their 40-yard dash time. Nutritionists make up special diets designed for each player and medical technology is used to track physical variables that even a trained eye would miss.

Financing the Combine

The cost of using these facilities is not trivial – many charge as much as tens of thousands of dollars for a single athlete.

Fortunately, the player or his family usually do not bear the cost of training or living expenses. NFL agents set up their recently-signed players with a training regimen, fronting the cash for living expenses and the use of the facility. This is viewed as a loan investment against the future earnings the agent hopes to make off of his or her contract with the player. There is some risk involved here, as a player who is not drafted or who is drafted late may not secure a contract that will allow the agent to make back this money. Nevertheless, agents will set up hundreds of potential NFL players with top-notch training in order to maximize their chances of being picked.

Spots in these training facilities are limited and often secured months in advance by agents. Finding an agent with the cash and the connections to secure a spot in a great facility is an important part of getting into the pros. The NFL Scouting combine is tough and the competition is tougher, but it’s all a part of securing your place in NFL history.