The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine came to a conclusion on Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis when the defensive backs took the field for the final on-field workouts. Amongst the 324 participants that were in attendance this weekend were five Tar Heel prospects who were all looking to help their draft stock. Here is a look at how each guy's stock is trending after the underwear olympics.
⇧Ty Chandler
There is no Tar Heel draft prospect that has helped himself more in the pre-draft process than Chandler and that continued in Indy. He ran a blazing 4.38 in the 40, which was tied for second amongst the running backs and looked really good in the drills, which showcased his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. With what he has done so far at the East-West Shrine Game and now the combine, he will have a chance to get himself some consideration as a late Day 2 pick and put himself in a similar spot to where Michael Carter was heading into the draft at this time last year.
⇧Joshua Ezeudu
Ezeudu was unable to participate in a draft showcase game because he was an underclassman, but he took full advantage of his combine opportunity. He didn’t run or jump great, landing an official 5.19 and 1.84 10-yard split, but he showed some nice athleticism in the drills. He shifted his weight well and looked very natural in the pull and pass rush drills and was a standout in the wave drill. It’s still too early to tell just how much this helped him, but you have to feel a lot better about his chances to be selected after this weekend.
⇨Sam Howell
The pre-draft process was an area where I thought Howell would thrive, but unfortunately, that has not happened so far. He did not run due to a tweaked calf that he suffered in the Senior Bowl, but he did throw and was so-so, likely in part due to the injury he was dealing with. He hasn’t hurt his stock by any means, but coming in, it really felt like he was one of the guys that climb some draft boards and make a push to be the first quarterback taken off the board. Instead, he will enter his pro day still hoping to solidify himself as a first-round pick.
⇨Marcus McKethan
McKethan did have a bad showing in Indy, but it didn’t really feel like he was able to help himself that much. He ran a 5.31 in the 40 and was below average with his jumps, but he did show some nice strength with 27 reps at 235 lbs., the fifth most amongst offensive linemen. He looked solid in the drills but wasn’t really able to separate himself as one of the standouts. Just like Howell, he didn’t really hurt his stock this week, but he remains on the fringe of being a draftable player.
⇩Jeremiah Gemmel
Gemmel did make the trip to Indy and did get measured, but didn’t participate in any of the on field or weight room drills. Just like with the Senior Bowl absence, there isn’t any information on why he did not participate. The hope is that this is just an injury issue that is lingering and not something more serious. Unfortunately, his stock is falling as others rise around him, but as of right now, I still think he gets drafted because of where he ranked on initial draft boards.