The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. BYU will be represented by two standouts with clear NFL potential in wide receiver Chase Roberts and linebacker Jack Kelly.
When and how to tune in
BYU fans who want to tune in and watch the "underwear Olympics" in real time can do so on NFL Network, starting this Thursday, February 26.
Jack Kelly and other linebackers will be up on Day 1, this Thursday starting at 3:00 PM ET.
Chase Roberts and his fellow wide receivers take the field this Saturday, February 28th starting at 1:00 PM ET.
The goal for Kelly, Roberts, and every other player selected to participate in the NFL's premier scouting event is to rise up draft boards and get picked as early as possible. Both Kelly and Roberts have relatively little to lose but a lot to gain with solid showings this week.
Where is Jack Kelly projected to be drafted?
The 6-foot-2, 240-pound linebacker is coming off a stellar two-year run at BYU after transferring to Provo from Weber State. In two seasons with the Cougars he racked up 106 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks, including 10 last year. NFL scouts have taken notice.
Opinions are currently split as to where Jack Kelly will be selected. The draft website called The Draft Network is really high on him, pegging him as a third round pick. However, another credible draft site called NFL Mock Draft Database has him projected as a seventh round pick and the No. 230 prospect in this year's draft. The site NFL Draft Buzz projects him going undrafted. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. recently included Kelly among those who "just missed" being in the Top 10 off-ball linebackers in the draft.
With a solid performance on Thursday, Kelly could potentially solidify himself as a mid-round pick.
Where is Chase Roberts projected to be drafted?
Chase Roberts just ended a stellar four-year career at BYU. During his time in Provo he reeled in 170 receptions for 2,586 yards and 18 touchdowns. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he has an NFL body with the skills to match.
He's going to have a lot to prove at the combine in order to secure getting selected in this year's draft.
NFL Draft Buzz is highest on Roberts' draft prospects listing him as a fifth round pick while NFL Mock Draft Database projects him as a sixth round pick and the No. 216 prospect in the draft. However, Chase's name doesn't appear among players being drafted at The Draft Network nor was he listed among Mel Kiper Jr's top prospects.
Both Jack Kelly and Chase Roberts represented BYU very well during their days in Provo.
Let's now hope this week they represent themselves well at the NFL Combine and begin to rise up draft boards as a result.