The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Smith and Watkins Jr. Invited to 2021 NFL Scouting Combine
3/2/2021 1:24:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Defensive end Jordan Smith and wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr. have been invited to participate in the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine, the league announced on Tuesday.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL has made alterations to this year's scouting combine. The largest change to the traditional week-long showcase of college prospects will be no in-person workouts at the combine this year as they will take place at colleges' pro days.
The league added it would work with individual schools to achieve consistency in the drills and testing that takes place with each NFL team gaining access of video for the workouts. Schools will also be asked to conduct virtual media availabilities with combine invitees to help promote the prospects and the 2021 NFL Draft.
In addition, the NFL is currently working alongside club physicians and trainers to develop a way in which to obtain "comprehensive medical information on each of the invited prospects." In-person testing will be available for "a certain number of prospects" at designated locations, likely in early April.
Both Smith and Watkins Jr. were First Team All-Conference USA selections in 2020 and participated in the Reese's Senior Bowl. In just two years, Watkins Jr. finished his career ranked eighth in receptions (98) and seventh in receiving yards (1,642) at UAB, while Smith's 14.5 sacks over the last two seasons ranks ninth in program history.
These two are the first Blazers invited to the NFL Combine since UAB returned to action in 2017. In 2015, J.J. Nelson ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.28) of any player at the NFL Combine. Jordan Howard (2016) and Gerald Everett (2017) also participated in the NFL Combine and both started their careers at UAB before transferring due to the program's shutdown in 2014.
The 2021 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 29-May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL has made alterations to this year's scouting combine. The largest change to the traditional week-long showcase of college prospects will be no in-person workouts at the combine this year as they will take place at colleges' pro days.
The league added it would work with individual schools to achieve consistency in the drills and testing that takes place with each NFL team gaining access of video for the workouts. Schools will also be asked to conduct virtual media availabilities with combine invitees to help promote the prospects and the 2021 NFL Draft.
In addition, the NFL is currently working alongside club physicians and trainers to develop a way in which to obtain "comprehensive medical information on each of the invited prospects." In-person testing will be available for "a certain number of prospects" at designated locations, likely in early April.
Both Smith and Watkins Jr. were First Team All-Conference USA selections in 2020 and participated in the Reese's Senior Bowl. In just two years, Watkins Jr. finished his career ranked eighth in receptions (98) and seventh in receiving yards (1,642) at UAB, while Smith's 14.5 sacks over the last two seasons ranks ninth in program history.
These two are the first Blazers invited to the NFL Combine since UAB returned to action in 2017. In 2015, J.J. Nelson ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.28) of any player at the NFL Combine. Jordan Howard (2016) and Gerald Everett (2017) also participated in the NFL Combine and both started their careers at UAB before transferring due to the program's shutdown in 2014.
The 2021 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 29-May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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