The 2018 NFL Scouting Combine is underway at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and runs until March 5.
Michigan has three former players scheduled to participate: defensive tackle Maurice "Mo" Hurst, offensive lineman Mason Cole — who is testing as an interior lineman — and linebacker Mike McCray.
Specialists, offensive linemen and running backs have started being measured, but the bulk of the action is still to come. The full schedule can be found here or seen below.
The Wolverine takes a closer look at U-M's three representatives that are expected to be taken in the NFL Draft, which runs from April 26-28.
DT Maurice Hurst
The star of Michigan's 2017 defense, Hurst racked up 61 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. The first-team All-Big Ten pick by both the coaches and media is extremely quick off the line and is expected to be a three-technique defensive tackle in the NFL.
U-M Height/Weight: 6-2/280
On-Field Workout Day (everything but bench press): Sun., March 4
Most Important Thing: Hurst has the stats and passes the eye-test on the field, however, he doesn't necessarily have the size NFL executives are looking for in a defensive tackle. Hurst would be one of the smallest defensive tackles in the league, so it's important for his to test well and show that his athleticism and production is worth a first-round pick despite his stature.
What They're Saying: “It’s tough for me to understand how the NFL could think he’s not a top 15, even top 10 pick based on his body of work and the fact that there are numerous examples of undersized defensive linemen that have excelled at the NFL level,” Pro Football Focus analyst Josh Liskiewitz told The Wolverine. “That’s clearly not an issue. Then you couple that with the fact he played nose tackle. It wasn’t like he was a three-technique and was asked to explode off the guard all game. He did a lot of different things inside there that typically wouldn’t be asked of an ‘undersized player.’”
"Hurst is a quick and powerful one-gap penetrator who is highly disruptive against the run. He has a powerful upper body and disengages quickly. I think he fits best as a 3-technique in a 4-3 system, where he can get in the backfield and get after the quarterback." — ESPN's Todd McShay
Big Board Position Rankings:
No. 1 — CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso (8th overall), Pro Football Focus, The Athletic
No. 3 — Sporting News (25th overall), ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler, ESPN's Todd McShay (24th overall), NFL Network's Mike Mayock
Mock Draft Destinations:
No. 11, Miami Dolphins — CBS Sports' Sean Wagner-McGough
No. 19, Dallas Cowboys — ESPN's Todd McShay, NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein
No. 20, Detroit Lions — NFL.com's Chad Reuter, NFL.com's Bucky Brooks, NFL.com's Charles Davis
No. 22, Buffalo Bills — Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer
No. 27, New Orleans Saints — NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler
No. 50, Dallas Cowboys — Walter Football
OL Mason Cole
Cole was a workhorse at U-M, starting every game of his career at a variety of positions, namely left tackle and center. The former Michigan captain will enter the NFL as a center. The second-team All-Big Ten offensive tackle is projected to be a third-to-fifth round pick.
U-M Height/Weight: 6-5/297
On-Field Workout Day (everything but bench press): Fri., March 2
Most Important Thing: Cole has versatility, and that alone is likely going to help him land on an NFL roster. However, he has never been known as the strongest of guys. It will be important for him to test at least average in the strength tests and bench press to show he can hold off NFL defenders.
What They're Saying: "Consistent center prospect with some position flex and incredible durability dating all the way back to his high school days. Cole relies on athleticism over power and will have to improve his hand usage and balance in order to match up against the talent he will see on the next level. While he has two years of starting experience at tackle, he's too inconsistent in protection to hold up there for very long. Cole could become an early starter, but his ceiling might not be higher than average starter." — NFL.com's Lance Zierlein
Big Board Position Rankings:
No. 4 (interior linemen) — The Athletic
No. 4 (center) — ESPN's Mel Kiper
No. 5 (center) — Pro Football Focus, NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler
No. 7 (interior linemen) — ESPN's Todd McShay
No. 10 (center)— CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso (229th overall)
LB Mike McCray
The defensive captain in 2017, McCray was the team's second-leading tackler, ending the season with 84. He also had 17 tackles for loss and five sacks. McCray was somewhat underrated during his senior year and was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. He's a force against the run and is expected to be a late day three selection or go un-drafted.
U-M Height/Weight: 6-4/242
On-Field Workout Day (everything but bench press): Sun., March 4
Most Important Thing: The one area McCray really struggles with in pass coverage. He got picked on in the passing game during the season and NFL teams can't have guys out there that can't defend the pass. He needs to show an improvement in his overall athleticism at the combine. He will also need to play special teams in the NFL.
What They're Saying: “I think the NFL knows where he stands in terms of his coverage,” Liskiewitz said. “They’re not going to see his play in that and let that alter too much. I think he’s pretty much as advertised as an athlete. He’s not a top end guy, but view him as a guy that has the ability to defend the run inside and take on blockers and shed them, yes there’s probably still a place for him in the NFL.”
Big Board Position Rankings:
No. 6 (ILB) — ESPN's Todd McShay
No. 14 (OLB) — NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler
No. 20 (OLB)— CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso (246th overall)
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