The 2014 NFL Scouting Combine is just days away, Feb. 22-25, and with it comes the opportunity for more than 300 college athletes to improve their draft stock in front of NFL general managers, coaches and scouts from every one of the league's 32 teams.
Among the draft prospects showcasing their talents inside of Lucas Oil Stadium will be 13 local athletes, listed below in alphabetical order.
(OT) Justin Britt - Missouri
2013: Second team All-SEC. Started all 14 games at LT.
(WR) John Brown - Pittsburgh State (KS)
2013: 12 games, 17 rushes, 100 yards, two TDs, 61 receptions for 1,198 yards (19.6 avg), with 14 TDs, including a 76-yard score. He also recorded one tackle in 2013 and 23 punt returns for 264 yards (11.5 avg) and 12 kickoff returns for 389 yards (32.4 yards) and a 95-yard TD return.
(CB) Pierre Desir - Lindenwood
2013: First-team AP Little All-American. American Football Coaches Association All-American. Led team with 4 INTs. Nine games played, recording 27 tackles and six assists, 8 PBUs, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
(CB) Brandon Dixon - Northwest Missouri State
2013: 14 games, 25 tackles, 11 assists, one INT, 11 PBUs and one fumble recovery.
(DE) Kony Ealy - Missouri
2013: 14 games played, finished with 30-solo tackles, 13 assists with 14.5 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, one INT, six PBUs, 14 QB hurries, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
(CB) E.J. Gaines - Missouri
2013: 12 games, 57-solo tackles, 18 assists, four sacks, five INTs, three PBUs, one QB hurry and one fumble recovery for 11 yards.
(LS) Marcus Heit - Kansas State
2013: Played in 12 games and was perfect on all 111 snaps. Heit was perfect on all 363 snaps, during his college career.
(TE) Reggie Jordan - Missouri Western
According to NFL.com: Jordan possesses very good speed to threaten the seams and flashes a solid blocking ability -- riding opponents off the screen, also showcased the ability to create big plays.
(RB) Henry Josey - Missouri
2013: 14 games, 174 carries for 1,166 yards (6.7 avg), 16 TDs, 10 receptions for 65 yards and 1 TD.
(OT) Luke Lucas - Kansas State
According to NFL.com: Lucas' rare length (body and arms), includes a wingspan of a small aircraft. He is fairly light on his feet for as big as he is and his overall length allows him to recover to inside counters.
(WR) Marcus Lucas - Missouri
2013: 13 games, 55 receptions for 646 yards (11.7 avg) and two TDs.
(DE) Michael Sam - Missouri
2013: First-team All-American, first-team All-SEC and a Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist. Sam started all 14 games, recording 48 tackles, 19 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, two PBUs, 9 QB hurries, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
(WR) L'Damian Washington - Missouri
2013: 14 games, 50 receptions for 893 yards (17.9 avg) and 10 TDs, including a 96-yard score. Washington also recorded six tackles on defense.
