No one had less time to prepare for the NFL Combine than the players from Oregon and Ohio State, whose respective seasons dragged well into January because of the new College Football Playoff.
Our focus for this particular Road To The Draft segment, though, centers on the ones who came away from it as national champions.
Four Buckeyes were invited to Indianapolis. Some, more than others, were limited by the tight turnaround.
All quotes were culled from transcripts of group interviews at the NFL Combine.
DT Mike Bennett - Ohio State
Height/weight: 6-2, 293
Workout rundown: Bennett did not participate in any of the physical events because of a groin injury.
They said it: "When I'm on the field, it's a completely different person. Very aggressive, looking to cause some havoc. I really want the person I'm playing to know that I'm a better player than he is."
Projection: ESPN Scouts Inc. ranks Bennett as the 42nd-best overall player in the draft. CBSSports.com projects him to be a second-round pick.
DB Doran Grant - Ohio State
Height/weight: 5-10, 200
Workout rundown: Finished in a tie for third among cornerbacks with a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and was second with 21 repetitions in the bench press.
They said it: "I've won everywhere I've been. I feel I can contribute and help another team win."
Projection: Scouts Inc. slots Grant as the 12th-best cornerback while CBSSports.com lists him 16th and projects him to the fourth round.
TE Jeff Heuerman - Ohio State
Height/weight: 6-5, 254
Workout rundown: Only participated in the bench press, where he finished second among tight ends with 26 repetitions. Dealt with a foot injury throughout his senior season.
They said it: "I hope I haven't reached my peak. I've got a lot of years left to play, a lot of time to get better."
Projection: In a year light on tight end prospects, Heuerman ranks third at the position in Scouts Inc.'s rankings and projects as a fourth-round pick on CBSSports.com.
WR Devin Smith - Ohio State
Height/weight: 6-0, 196
Workout rundown: Participated in most events and did not rank among the top 10 in any of them. Tied for 13th among wide receivers with a 4.44-second 40-yard dash.
They said it: "I'm hoping I go first round. Just being in this position, to be here at the combine and getting your name picked, it's all a blessing to me. Wherever I get picked, whatever round, I'll make the best of it."
Projection: Depending on the mock draft, Smith is placed as high as the mid-first round or as late as the mid-second round. Scouts Inc. ranks him as the fifth-best receiver and CBSSports.com puts him at No. 8.
This article is part of the Road to the Draft series, driven by Liberty Ford.
