NFL Combine

It’s that time of year again. The week where aspiring college athletes put their hearts on the line for a chance at being recruited for a major NFL team. The NFL combine is a week-long showcase for football players to perform physical and mental tests in front of scouts and managers of big-league teams. Running from March 1-7, 2022, 324 athletes from all over the country came together to strut their stuff for what they hope to be their future coaches. 

Different from past years, some of the drills that former athletes had to do are now being changed. According to Sporting News, “The league also plans to eliminate the Wonderlic test for prospective players, and it is revising some of its scouting combine drills to better simulate game-related movement. Wide receivers and tight ends will run crossing routes instead of wheel routes, and running backs will run option routes instead of corner and post-corner routes. Some drills for offensive linemen and defensive players also were revised to better assess in-game player movements.”Other than the actual drills players have to run, another test they were put through was the “NFL New Player Assessment.” This test not only tests a player’s decision-making skills in tough situations but also their mental stimuli and the way their brain thinks. Some may say that football is just a physical game but this just goes to show that when pushed to the test brain and brawns come into play. 

Many people were highly noticeable during the draft such as Sauce Gardner, Kyle Hamilton, and Aidan Hutchinson. Their capability to handle tough situations and work well during physically challenging events set them apart from others. A lot is going to be expected this year from the athletes but from the looks of it, it seems that the NFL teams are in great shape for the upcoming season. We can’t wait to see what happens next!