The NFL announced Tuesday that 326 players have been invited to the league's annual scouting combine.
Here are five takeaways from that list.
Alabama leads the way
After capturing its second national championship in three years, Alabama once again sends off another draft class loaded with talent. The Crimson Tide led the way with 14 players invited to the combine, including a handful of prospects projected to be first-round picks. Notable Crimson Tide players include defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, defensive lineman Da'Ron Payne, safety Ronnie Harrison and linebacker Rashaan Evans.
Buckeyes well represented
While this group isn't as deep or impressive as past Ohio State draft classes, the Buckeyes will be well represented in Indianapolis. Eleven players — the second most of any school — were invited to the combine, including projected first-rounders, cornerback Denzel Ward and center/guard Billy Price. Over the past two years, Ohio State has produced eight first-round picks and sent 19 players overall.
Eyes on the QBs
Nineteen quarterbacks will be in attendance, including projected first-round picks in USC's Sam Darnold, UCLA's Josh Rosen, Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield, Wyoming's Josh Allen and Louisville's Lamar Jackson. By comparison, 15 signal-callers were invited to the 2017 combine. Three of them — Mitchell Trubisky (Bears), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) and Deshaun Watson (Texans) — were drafted within the first 12 picks. Other notable quarterbacks invited to this year's combine include: Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph, Washington State's Luke Falk and Western Kentucky's Mike White.
Notable names not invited
As compiled by NFL.com’s Chase Goodbread, notable prospects not invited to Indianapolis include Missouri edge rusher Marcell Frazier, N.C. State offensive lineman Tony Adams and Texas defensive tackle Poona Ford. Frazier led the Tigers with 15.5 tackles for loss last season; Ford was the Big 12's Defensive Lineman of the Year; and Adams was a four-year starter for the Wolfpack who earned All-ACC honors.
So when does the combine start?
The combine begins Feb. 27 (Tuesday) and runs through March 5 (Monday). On-field workouts don’t start until that Friday.
You can read the full list of invitees here.
