In anticipation of April’s NFL Draft, five UNC football players have been invited to the league’s annual scouting combine, to be held in Indianapolis between March 1 and March 7.
Quarterback Sam Howell, running back Ty Chandler, linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel and offensive linemen Marcus McKethan and Joshua Ezeudu all received invites.
It will be the second opportunity for Howell to perform for pro scouts. The quarterback participated in the Reese’s Senior Bowl earlier in February. Howell impressed in his time at the Senior Bowl, rushing for a touchdown and showing off his arm strength in several drills. ESPN projects Howell as a first-round draft pick.
Chandler is coming off the best season of his career in his only year at Carolina after transferring from Tennessee. Chandler rushed for 1,092 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021, while also reeling in 15 catches for 215 yards and an additional score. He would be the third UNC running back to be drafted in the past two seasons, after Javonte Williams and Michael Carter were picked by the Denver Broncos and New York Jets last year.
Gemmel originally accepted an invite to play in the Senior Bowl with Howell, but pulled out after the conclusion of the 2021 season. A three-year starter at UNC, Gemmel was named to the All-ACC third team in 2021 and ranked second on the team with 75 tackles. Should Gemmel be drafted, he would join his former teammate Chazz Surratt in the NFL. Surratt was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2021.
McKethan and Ezeudu have both been stalwarts along the offensive line since making their first starts in 2019. McKethan earned All-ACC honorable mention selections in 2020 and 2021, while being named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice last season. Ezeudu also earned an honorable mention nod in 2021. Both of them blocked for a UNC offense which put up gaudy numbers, ranking 18th in the country with 212 rushing yards per game in 2021.
The NFL Draft Combine is an annual event (though it was cancelled in 2021) which puts pro prospects through a variety of drills testing their speed, mobility and strength. All 32 NFL teams send representatives to Indianapolis for the combine, and will often schedule interviews with the prospects in addition to watching their workouts. The 2022 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on April 28 in Las Vegas.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications
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