No combine for them, but pro prospects still high

A big step toward completing the NFL Draft process occurs Feb. 18-24 at the National Invitation Camp, recognized as the scouting combine, in Indianapolis. Invitations were extended to 332 players.

Two-thirds of combine participants are drafted. Approximately 30-40 players drafted in April will have done so without an invitation to the doings in Indianapolis.

Arizona QB Willie Tuitama still needs some work, but NFL teams will be interested. (US Presswire)

The combine selection committee takes a vote before all-star games and campus workouts, when some players are just starting to emerge on the radar of the scouting directors and general managers. Of course, there are occasions when some teams choose not to publicly vote for some of their top "sleepers" because they don't want other teams to discover those players in Indy.

There are no glaring omissions from the invitation list this year, making it less likely that a non-combine player will get the call on the first day of the draft like second-round picks Shawntae Spencer (cornerback, San Francisco, 2004) and Matt McCoy (linebacker, Philadelphia, 2005).

The 2009 combine is to be held for the first time at Lucas Oil Stadium.

These players could be drafted despite being left out of the weeklong parade of prospects in Indy. Even if they're not drafted, multiple teams will be interested in their services this summer.

The top 15, ranked regardless of position:

OG T.J. Lang (Eastern Michigan): Played left tackle the past couple of seasons for EMU, but the strength and agility he displayed at left guard (and center) during the Texas vs. the Nation practices could push him into the fourth round a la Josh Sitton (Green Bay Packers, 2008).

ILB Frantz Joseph (Florida Atlantic): The Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge MVP is a strong inside presence who was among the nation's leaders in tackles.

OLB Jason Williams (Western Illinois): Williams' combination of strength at the point of attack and coverage ability during East-West practices opened eyes.

OT Sebastian Vollmer (Houston): Another East-West riser, Vollmer's continued improvement through practice and strong Shrine Game performance has pushed him up draft boards.

RB Devin Moore (Wyoming): It's very odd Moore was not invited to the combine considering Steve Slaton's success as a rookie, even at 5-feet-9 and less than 200 pounds. He could also play some receiver and return kicks.

DT Nader Abdallah (Ohio State): A better technician than he is athlete, Abdallah's skills inside made him tough to beat at times in Texas vs. the Nation practices in El Paso.

QB Willie Tuitama (Arizona): Has the size and tools scouts like in a developmental prospect, which he is because of his lack of accuracy.

C Cecil Newton (Tennessee State): Some teams won't like him because of his lack of size, but those looking for a very mobile center should snap him up before he becomes a highly sought-after free agent.

TE/HB Travis McCall (Alabama): There are plenty of good short-but-stout tight ends/H-backs in the NFL -- see Chris Cooley, Desmond Clark, Michael Gaines, Brandon Manumaleuna -- and McCall's receiving and blocking skills could put him in that category.

DE Phillip Hunt (Houston): He's 6-1 but proved to scouts during Shrine week that he can be a terror as a pass rusher. He also uses leverage against taller tackles to make plays against the run on the edge.

SS Keith Fitzhugh (Mississippi State): His teammate, Derek Pegues, gets the accolades, but Fitzhugh is a solid in-the-box safety with better coverage skills than you'd expect.

RB/KR Aaron Brown (TCU): Although he doesn't look like the typical NFL running back, Brown's quick, smooth and shifty. He could also line up in the slot and contribute as a kick returner.

OLB Corey Smith (Cincinnati): One of the leaders of a strong Cincinnati defense, Smith's lack of height should not be an issue with guys like Gerald Hayes and Clint Session in the league.

DE Pierre Walters (Eastern Illinois): It's hard to imagine a player with Walters' upside and versatility going undrafted. He plays on either side of the line and is still learning how to use his hands on pass rush moves and to shed.

CB William Middleton (Furman): Would make a great zone corner with his size, closing speed and aggressiveness.

Also watch out for:

• SS Al Afalava (Oregon State)
• RB Curtis Brinkley (Syracuse)
• TE Kevin Brock (Rutgers)
• CB Tony Carter (Florida State)
• FB Conredge Collins (Pittsburgh)
• DT John Faletoese (California-Davis)
• OLB Robert Francois (Boston College)
• CB Londen Fryar (Western Michigan)
• SS Trimane Goddard (North Carolina)
• WR JaRon Harris (South Dakota State)
• TE Branden Ledbetter (Western Michigan)
• DT Clinton McDonald (Memphis)
• SS Terence Moore (Troy)
• DE Jeremy Navarre (Maryland)
• CB Mark Parson (Ohio)
• WR Jamarko Simmons (Western Michigan)
• OLB Johnny Williams (Kentucky)

Chad Reuter is a senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.