7 local players invited to NFL combine

Six BYU and Utah football products are among the more than 300 players to participate in the annual NFL Scouting Combine, which began Wednesday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Former Cougars Austin Collie (wide receiver), Travis Bright (offensive lineman) and Ray Feinga (offensive lineman), and former Utes Paul Kruger (defensive end), Louie Sakoda (punter/kicker) and Sean Smith (cornerback) received invitations to the combine, along with Weber State fullback Marcus Mailei.

The combine essentially serves as a grueling weeklong job interview in advance of April's NFL draft. More than 600 NFL personnel from all 32 teams, including head coaches, general managers and scouts, will be in attendance.

Players, who are looking to enhance their stock in the draft, take a variety of tests to measure their abilities, such the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump and shuttle run.

Workouts start Saturday with kickers, offensive linemen and tight ends. Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs will be put through the paces on Tuesday.

The combine will be televised by the NFL Network.

— Jeff Call