Tar Heel Combine Preview

The annual NFL Scouting Combine kicks off on Monday as the players will begin to arrive in Indianapolis to begin their job interview for the next level. On field drills will kick off on Friday as the running backs, offensive lineman and special teams hit the turf. Quarterbacks, wide receivers  and tight ends will head out on Saturday followed by defensive lineman and linebackers on Sunday. Defensive backs finish it up on Monday.

For the Heels, seven players received invites. Mitch Trubisky was really the only prospect guaranteed to be invited, as he is considered a first round prospect. The Heels will have five other offensive players in attendance for the week. Day One will feature Elijah Hood and T.J. Logan. Both will be trying to make their names recognized in a loaded group of running backs. Day Two will feature Trubisky followed by Ryan Switzer, Mack Hollins and Bug Howard going through receiver drills. The Heels combine will conclude when Naz Jones takes the field on Sunday with the defensive lineman. Here's what to expect from each prospect.

Mitch Trubisky

Let's start with the most talked about prospect for the Heels and maybe one of the most talked about players in this entire draft. Trubisky is going to have all eyes on him and it will interesting to see how he performs under a bit of pressure. Expect Trubisky to have one of the better 40-times of the quarterback group, something that shouldn't shock Tar Heel fans. Trubisky is expected to throw with DeShaun Watson and many other top quarterbacks already saying they will. Trubisky will have to perform well in drills or his draft stock could fall significantly in such an unstable quarterback class. Trubisky will have an advantage with three Carolina receivers attending the combine. Unfortunately, he will only see Switzer, though, because of how the receivers are split up.

Naz Jones

Jones heads into the combine as one of those guys that is pretty much all over the board according to mock drafters. Jones has a chance to put himself at the top of the defensive tackle class ahead of the draft. Expect Jones to have a quicker time than most defensive tackles in the 40, probably between a 4.85 and 4.9. The weight room may not be as impressive for him as some in the class, but Jones should put up a decent number of reps. On the field, Jones will have to shown his athleticism amongst the defensive tackles and 3-4 defensive ends. If he performs well he could solidify himself as a day two pick.

Ryan Switzer

Switzer is an interesting conversation at this point. Like Jones, Switzer is all over the board, but most think he will be a day three pick. Switzer is a third tier receiver at this point of the process, but he could be one of the stars of the combine. Switzer will have one of the better 40-times, as you should expect to see him run a sub 4.4. Switzer won't blow anyone away with his measurements but once the on field drills begin, he will blow scouts away with his footwork and hands. If he performs well, he could very well push himself into the second tier of receivers and day two of the draft.

Mack Hollins

Hollins is a name becoming more and more popular among scouts in the fourth tier of receivers. Right now, Hollins is seen as a late day three pick, but that could quickly change with a strong performance. Expect Hollins to run in the low 4.5’s in the 40 and have solid vertical and broad jump numbers. On-field drills will be important for Hollins as he will have to show he can be more than just a deep threat and special teams standout if he wants to move into consideration for an early day three pick.

T.J. Logan

Logan comes in as the name on the biggest rise out of all the Heels. Logan closed the season strong, then followed it up by putting on a great performance in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Logan is a guy that most think will end up undrafted, but could end up being taken in the 7th round. Expect him to run fast, anywhere from a 4.3 to 4.4. Once again, the measurements won't blow anyone away, but on the field, Logan has the ability to make a name for himself, especially with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Logan could slip his name into the day three conversation if he is able to perform well at the combine.

Elijah Hood

Hood’s stock just continues to fall as the ill effects from this past season continue to loom heavy in the scouting community. Hood would benefit immensely from a good combine performance. In the 40, expect Hood to be somewhere in the 4.55 to 4.6 range. On field drills will be the key for Hood, though, as he’ll have to prove that he is better than the other one cut backs in this running back class. If Hood can step up, he may get his name called late on day three.

Bug Howard

The Tar Heel with the most to prove coming into the combine, Howard will have to have a great combine to get his draft stock trending up. Howard will more than likely be the slowest of the Tar Heel trio of receivers, but he still should run in the mid to high 4.5’s. Where Howard may get his name on people's mind is in the vertical and broad jump. If he can display lower body explosion and then have a good day on the field, his name will begin receiving some interest.

Snubs

Shockingly, Jon Heck did not receive a combine invite despite being a day three selection in most mock drafts. Heck will join Des Lawrence, Nick Weiler, Caleb Peterson and Lucas Crowley as players who will have to wait for Carolina Pro Day on March 21st to perform for scouts.

Tune into NFL Network for coverage of the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine and afterwards turn to the Heel Tough Blog for continuing coverage of the Heels draft prospects on their road to the NFL Draft.