Seven USC Trojans Invited to 2015 NFL Combine

The USC Trojans will be well-represented at the 2015 NFL Combine held in Indianapolis from Feb. 17-23, with defensive lineman Leonard Williams, running back Javorius Allen, wide receiver Nelson Agholor, tight end Randall Telfer, linebacker Hayes Pullard, linebacker J.R. Tavai, and safety Josh Shaw among the 300 invitees.

NFL Network will broadcast the combine, which will put college athletes to the test as they attempt to prove their worthiness to NFL scouts leading up to April’s NFL draft in Chicago.

Among the Trojans not invited to participate in the combine are safety Gerald Bowman and wide receiver George Farmer. The former is rated at the No. 28 strong safety in the draft by NFLdraftscout.com while the latter shocked most observers by declaring early despite limited productivity at the college level.

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USC’s three highest rated prospects all departed school early. Williams, the top player at his position, is projected among the tip picks overall. Agholor could see a second round selection while Allen is projected in the third or fourth rounds by CBS Sports.

Shaw will need to overcome off- and on-the-field concerns as he missed most of the 2014 season due lying about a domestic dispute with his girlfriend. The senior safety lied to school officials to attribute the injuries he sustained while fleeing from the situation to saving his nephew from drowning. Still, he is rated as a potential third or fourth round pick and can point to a stellar record before and since that incident.

Pullard had a long and fruitful career with the Trojans but physical limitations have him projected in the mid-to-late rounds.

Meanwhile, Tavai’s injury-plagued career certainly hurt his stock as he was never truly able to establish himself with the Trojans. He is a projected sixth rounder.

Telfer is not stranger to the injury problem either. With plenty of unfulfilled talent to work with, his aim at the combine will be to convince a team he is worth a draft pick, otherwise he will likely fall to free agency.

USC and Oregon were tied for the most invitees in the Pac-12 with seven. Stanford trailed with six and UCLA with five.