Eight Tigers Receive Invitations to 2011 NFL Combine

Eight LSU Tigers received invitations to the NFL Combine to be held at the Lucas Oil Dome in Indianapolis from February 23 through March 1, 2011. LSU was one of two schools receiving eight invitations, the most in the SEC league.

The Combine is hosted each year by the NFL for players exiting the collegiate field hoping to be picked up by an NFL team. Scouts, coaches and other representatives from all the NFL teams will be in attendance for the Combine.

Prospective players from collegiate teams all over the United States will attend the Combine and show off their skills in a series of tests that will be observed by the NFL scouts and coaches. Physical tests will include the 220-lb. bench press, broad jump, vertical jump, 40 yd. dash, the 3 cone drill, 20 and 60 yd. shuttles. There will also various drills the prospective players will be put through. In addition, players will be interviewed by the various NFL scouts and coaches interested in bringing them to their team.

The LSU Tigers receiving invitations to the NFL Combine are Patrick Peterson, Drake Nevis, Josh Jasper, Stevan Ridley, Terrence Toliver, Kelvin Sheppard, Joseph Barksdale and Lazarius Levingston.

Patrick Peterson, cornerback, is expected to be a top 5 draft pick. Peterson decided to enter the NFL draft early and forego his senior year at LSU.

Drake Nevis, defensive tackle, is expected to be chosen toward the end of the first round or early second round of the draft.

Josh Jasper was the punter and placekicker for LSU. He owns the record of the most accurate kicker in LSU's history. Jasper made 47 out of 56 field goals for LSU in his collegiate career at LSU. He will make a great pick for a team that needs a good field goal kicker. Jasper should be picked up early in second round.

Terrence Toliver, wide receiver, is projected to go in the third round by CBS Sports. Toliver was a key player in the 2011 Cotton Bowl game against Texas A&M, scoring three touchdowns for the Tigers. Toliver has also had his share of dropped balls.

Kelvin Sheppard, linebacker, is rated 5^th out of 133 linebackers invited to the Columbine by NFL Draft Scout and projected to be drafted in the fourth round of the draft.

Joseph Barksdale, offensive tackle, holds the longest streak in starting games for the Tigers. Barksdale started in 39 games for the Tigers in his collegiate career at LSU. Barksdale is predicted to go in the third round by CBS Sports.

Steven Ridley, running back for the Tigers, was the team captain for the offensive for the entire season. Ridley is another Tiger foregoing his senior year to enter the NFL draft.

Lazarius Levingston, defensive end, is rated number 20 out of 182 defensive ends by NFL Draft Scout and expected to be picked in the seventh round.

Sources:

LSU Sports: Josh Jasper Bio

CBS Sports Player Profile for Terrence Toliver

NFL Draft Scout: Kelvin Sheppard

LSU Sports: Steven Ridley Bio

LSU Sports: Joseph Barksdale Bio

CBS Sports Player Profile Joseph Barksdale

LSU Sports: Eight Tigers Invited to NFL Combine