2015 Gophers at NFL Combine Update Thread (Williams, Cobb, Wilson)

BleedGopher

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We've got three at the Combine this week and I assume there will be quite a few updates, via Twitter, articles, etc. We can post them all in this thread.

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per ESPN:

Tuesday marks the official beginning of the 2015 NFL combine, with the first group of players scheduled to arrive in Indianapolis. Hopefuls will go through interviews, get measured and tested for the first couple of days before their on-field workouts.

The schedule of those is as follows:

Friday: Specialists, offensive line, tight ends
Saturday: Quarterbacks, receivers, running backs
Sunday: Defensive linemen, linebackers
Monday: Defensive backs


The Big Ten is sending 38 players to the combine, and you can view the complete list here. A few story lines to follow when it comes to the league alumni:

Will the Year of the Running Back lead to a huge draft haul at the position? Running back has been severely devalued in the draft, especially as the NFL becomes more and more of a passing league. Yet there are supremely talented backs from the Big Ten who will try and buck that trend. Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon couldn't have done any more on the field last season to make his case as a first-rounder. I think Indiana's Tevin Coleman could wow scouts with his physical tools in the combine setting, while Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah should wipe away any concerns about his height. Minnesota's David Cobb and Michigan State's Jeremy Langford might not put up huge testing numbers, but you can't question their productivity and durability in college.
How many Big Ten players can crack the first round? After a dreadful couple of years in terms of producing first-rounders, the conference is poised to hear several of its players' names called on opening night in this draft. Todd McShay's most recent mock draft included eight Big Ten players in the first 32 picks. Nebraska's Randy Gregory has been viewed as a potential top-5 pick, but after some injuries slowed him down during the season, he needs to shine at the combine. Other guys like Minnesota's Maxx Williams, Ohio State's Devin Smith and Iowa's Carl Davis could solidify spots at the back end of the first round with strong showings.
How much can Brandon Scherff lift? The Iowa offensive tackle and strong man could challenge the record of 49 reps on the 225-pound bench press that Oregon State's Stephen Paea set in 2011. Other players not yet mentioned who I'd expect to really impress in testing include Michigan State's Tony Lippett, Minnesota's Damien Wilson, Penn State's Adrian Amos and Michigan's Devin Funchess.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/115751/big-ten-morning-links-129

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WCCO: Former Gophers Cobb, Williams, Wilson At NFL Combine

Running back David Cobb, tight end Maxx Williams and linebacker Damien Wilson are the ex-Gophers among more than 300 draft prospects scheduled to go through interviews, medical tests and skills drills at Lucas Oil Field in front of team officials from all around the league.

The event lasts until Monday.

The on-field activities like the 40-yard dash and vertical jump get the most attention, with the NFL making all of the results public. Williams will be tested with the tight ends on Friday. Cobb will be tested with the running backs on Saturday. Wilson will be tested with the linebackers on Sunday.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/02/18/former-gophers-cobb-williams-wilson-at-nfl-combine/

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Arm length is pretty average for his height but he has good size mitts. Daunte "small hands" culpeeper had 9.5 inch hands. Brett Favre 10.38 inches. Average man 7-8 inches.

His measurements certainly won't hurt him. His tape is spectacular and he didn't drop many balls.
 

I'm curious to see what Damien's arm length is. Should be pretty good for a 6-2 guy. I wish they would just measure the entire wingspan as it is easier to tell if it is above or below average for a player's height.
 

Would many Gopher fans be shocked if Damien has the most productive NFL career of these three?
 

KC Star: Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams is living in the moment

Williams credits his ability to make the tough catches to his passion for the game.

“Treating every practice like it’s a game,” Williams said. “You can ask my coaches and my friends; in practice I’m the kid that’s going to be diving for balls. It’s just not in my nature to not try to make a play on every ball.”

That much shows on tape, as does his exuberance after big plays.

“It’s the love of the game,” Williams said. “I know people don’t like this but it is an emotional game, in the end. You put your blood into it, your tears, your sweat … you’ve got your brothers around you.”

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article10658345.html

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Maxx Williams utilizing lessons learned from NFL father at 2015 NFL Scouting Combine

The NFL is already in Maxx Williams' DNA.

That's because Maxx, a tight end out of the University of Minnesota, watched his father Brian play 11 seasons for the New York Giants.

In 1989, after a collegiate career at Minnesota, Brian was selected by the Giants with the No. 18 overall pick in the first round - the same round his son Maxx is expected to go this May as one of the top players at his position.

"It was a great experience having my dad play in the NFL and growing up around that kind of atmosphere," the younger Williams said from his podium at the NFL Combine inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, the first day of media availability in anticipation of Friday's on-field workouts for tight ends, offensive linemen, and specialists. "Being able to be in the locker room, just seeing what the game's all about, the actual inside the NFL and what the NFL truly is. I think that's helped me in my career knowing that I know what it's like.

"I can fall back on my dad if I have any questions, and he's one of those guys I've always relied on for those questions because he's been there, he's done it. He's succeeded at the highest level."

http://www.seahawks.com/news/articl...-Combine/83a0e27d-da2a-4ccd-9b0c-ef212b302116

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Fox Sports: Gophers' Williams aims to be complete NFL tight end; could be fit for Packers

Maxx Williams walked up to the podium at the NFL Scouting Combine with plenty of confidence. A colloquial greeting to gathering reporters was the first in a series of moments that showed the 20-year-old tight end isn't going to be intimidated as he takes the next step in his football career.

As the son of a former NFL player (Brian Williams, an offensive lineman for the New York Giants from 1989-99), Williams didn't have to go far to seek advice about his future. And as he began his set of 21 formal interviews with teams during the combine process in Indianapolis, it only served to reassure Williams that he made the right decision.

"It started about midseason and kind of crossed my mind that maybe I have an opportunity to leave," Williams said. "I finished the year playing well, and after our last game against Wisconsin I really sat down with my parents. We actually made a list. I sat there, my parents and me, and said, 'Pros of staying, pros of leaving, cons of staying, cons of leaving.' Sat down there and weighed each option. Took our time and didn't want to rush into anything or make a decision off of emotion.

"It was the right time for me to declare."

http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/...nfl-tight-end-could-be-fit-for-packers-021815

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Would many Gopher fans be shocked if Damien has the most productive NFL career of these three?

I would be very surprised, but I don't know if shocked is the right word. He definitely has a ton of potential and seems like a very smart kid, but Maxx has already shown that he can be a superstar and Cobb is a workhorse who could easily find his niche and play for a decade.
 

I would be very surprised, but I don't know if shocked is the right word. He definitely has a ton of potential and seems like a very smart kid, but Maxx has already shown that he can be a superstar and Cobb is a workhorse who could easily find his niche and play for a decade.

+1. I agree with all this.
 

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Would many Gopher fans be shocked if Damien has the most productive NFL career of these three?

I would be. I'd also be shocked if Damien doesn't have a nice NFL career but Maxx Williams is really special. He is so young and an almost perfect TE.

Maxx Williams might be the safest pick in the entire draft, he will be a good NFL player.
 


Arm length is pretty average for his height but he has good size mitts. Daunte "small hands" culpeeper had 9.5 inch hands. Brett Favre 10.38 inches. Average man 7-8 inches.

His measurements certainly won't hurt him. His tape is spectacular and he didn't drop many balls.

He had the longest arms & biggest hands of all the TEs.Tight End Measurements
 






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