Three BYU players invited to NFL Draft Combine
The NFL Draft Combine is a yearly event held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. It gives prospective prospects a chance to showcase their skills for all 32 NFL teams. This year, the combine will be held Feb. 26 through Mar. 4.
Not all players who enter the draft receive an invite. At the combine, players participate in various events such as the 40-yard dash and high jump and other passing and catching drills.
The combine allows teams to also meet individually with prospects as well.
In the 2024 draft, there will be 256 picks made. This year, 321 prospects were invited. Three of the players invited played at BYU this season.
Kedon Slovis (QB)
Slovis joins the likes of Caleb Williams, Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix and other quarterbacks to be invited to participate in the combine. He is the only Big 12 quarterback to be invited to Indianapolis.
Slovis participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl in January where he attempted seven passes and completed five of them for 49 yards. He led his team to two scoring drives.
Slovis was able to meet with several NFL teams while preparing for the game.
BYU has had two consecutive quarterbacks drafted. Following Zach Wilson and Jaren Hall, Slovis came to Provo in hopes of being the third BYU quarterback in a row to be drafted. Slovis is most likely to sign with a team after the draft as an undrafted free agent.
Ryan Rehkow (Punter)
Rehkow received All-American honors for the 2023 season. He was second in the nation in yards per punt at 48.4.
Along with Isaac Rex and Kedon Slovis, Rehkow just participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl where he was able to showcase his punting skills.
He punted twice in the game. The first was a 54 yard punt that was returned for a touchdown. On the second punt, he pinned his opponents inside their own 10 yard line.
Rehkow and Iowaβs Tory Taylor are the only two punters who received an invite to this years combine.
Kingsley Suamataia (OT)
Before the season started, Suamataia was projected to be a first-round pick in some mock drafts. However, despite finishing second team all Big 12, his draft stock fell during the season.
In many current mock drafts, he is projected to go in the second or third round. He still can sneak into the first round with good testing at the combine. PFF has him listed as the No. 12 overall tackle in this upcoming draft.
Suamataia just wrapped up participating in the Reeseβs Senior Bowl where he put on a good showing for the NFL teams in attendance. He won many of his practice reps and was an anchor for his team during the game.
BYU PLAYERS NOT INVITED
Not all BYU players entering the draft received a combine invite. Among those players are Aiden Robbins, Eddie Heckard and Isaac Rex.
Not being invited to the combine does not mean the end of the road. Some notable NFL players who were not invited to the combine are Tyreek Hill, Antonio Gates and Julian Edelman. Many are still drafted and given a shot to succeed in the NFL.
Additionally, the combine is not the only place for prospects to work out in front of teams. This year, the Big 12 will host its first-ever pro-day in Texas.
