Every year the NFL Scouting Combine leaves out a bunch of deserving athletes that may not have been able to get much media coverage throughout the course of the collegiate season.
The Scouting Combine is an opportunity for hundreds of athletes to be able to showcase their skills and measurables in front of all 32 NFL teams. The Combine is only for the College Football Elite and it shows the players who had tremendous collegiate seasons and careers. The problem with this is that the more unknown players who may not have been able to shine through the media because of where they played, as we move closer to the draft we have other smaller events that allow more players to get involved such as the East vs West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl, these allow for smaller school players and talented seniors to show off what they have to offer to an NFL organization.
Penny Hart, Wide Receiver, Georgia State
Penny Hart standing at 5’8″ and weighing at 181 lbs definitely does not jump out at you, but he plays like he is the biggest guy out there. Hart at Georgia State complied up 203 Receptions, 2,960 Yards, and 19 Touchdowns over four years. When looking at those numbers strength of opponent may be a variable, but when Hart got to the Senior Bowl he opened eyes from the first day he got there.
Khalil Hodge, Linebacker, Buffalo
Khalil Hodge fits the modern NFL linebacker mold at 6’1″ and 235 lbs, yet he plays as if he was back with Dick Butkus, Brian Urlacher, and Ray Lewis. Hodge is a two-time All-MAC linebacker who in 2017 racked up the 2nd most tackles in the nation with 157. Over his three years with the team, he racked up 421 Total Tackles, 6.5 Sacks, 3 Forced Fumbles, and 3 Interceptions.
Donald Parham, Tight End, Stetson
Donald Parham is a physical beast at 6’8″ and 240 lbs, he will be able to create mismatches for every position defensively. He is too fast for linebackers and he is too big and strong for any corner or safety. Which ever NFL team snags him will be taking a risk, but the reward could great. At Stetson, he was able to rack up 180 Receptions, 2,591 Yards, and 20 Touchdowns. He looked like a beast among men at the FCS level which allowed for him to show off his raw physical talent.
Michael Dogbe, Interior Defensive Line, Temple
Michael Dogbe has a rare combination of size and speed that there is no way he should have snubbed from the Combine. Measuring in at 6’3″ 280 lbs he has comparable size to Aaron Donald. This alone should have gotten him and invite not to mention he benched over 500 lbs. Over his four year career at Temple he was able to get 158 Total Tackles, 19.5 TFLs, and 8.5 Sacks. Dogbe has a chip on his shoulder and will make an impact in the NFL.
Eric Dungey, Quarterback, Syracuse
Dungey fits the prototypical modern NFL Quarterback mold at 6’4″ 230. Over four years as starter at Syracuse Dungey totaled for 9,340 Passing Yards, 58 Touchdowns, 30 Interceptions, 1,993 Rushing Yards, and 35 Rushing Touchdowns. Dungey was one of the most successful Syracuse quarterbacks ever finishing his career as one of five ACC quarterbacks all-time with 11,000+ yards of total offense and 90+ touchdowns responsible for. Dungey led Syracuse to their final number 15 ranking in the college polls.