Auburn football: NFL Combine results for 3 former Tigers

While Auburn basketball was winning the SEC title outright on the Plains this weekend, three former members of the Auburn football team were working out at the NFL Combine ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The NFL Combine is an invitation-only event that takes place prior to the draft each year that allows the top prospects to be evaluated by NFL scouts on a variety of skills in order to increase their draft stock. This year, three former Tigers represented Auburn football at the four-day event in safety Smoke Monday, linebacker Zakoby McClain, and cornerback Roger McCreary.

Here’s how each former Auburn football player fared at the NFL Combine:

Smoke Monday

Safety Smoke Monday logged a 4.52 40-yard dash and a 124-inch broad jump. NFL Analyst Lance Zeirlein compared Monday to DeShon Elliot and noted that while some of his weaknesses include below-average speed and tight hips in coverage transition, his strengths include his love for football and his alpha mentality. Overall, Monday earned a prospect grade of 5.98.

Zakoby McClain

Linebacker Zakoby McClain logged a 4.69 40-yard dash, a 33-inch vertical jump, and a 117-inch broad jump. His NFL comparison according to Lance Zeirlein is Quincy Williams, and the analyst noted that while McClain may be on the small side for a player in his position, he is much stronger and sturdier than his numbers indicate and he is very capable of taking care of business near the line of scrimmage. McClain earned a prospect grade of 6.16 and is labeled as a good backup with the potential to become a starter.

Roger McCreary

Cornerback Roger McCreary logged a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, the fastest of all three Auburn football players represented at the combine. Zeirlein compared McCreary to Rock Ya-Sin and was impressed with his ability to rake through receivers’ hands to prevent catches and eliminate space for receivers. While McCreary has impressive strength, his lack of length could be an issue when it comes to taller receivers. Overall, McCreary received a prospect grade of 6.24, and should eventually be an NFL starter.