The 2023 NFL Combine is right around the corner, and the Auburn football program is going to be well represented at this year’s scouting event in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Last year, only three Tigers were invited to the event, and they were three of the most impactful players of the 2022 roster: linebacker Zakoby McClain, cornerback Roger McCreary, and safety Smoke Monday. Ultimately, only McCreary was drafted, but both McClain and Monday signed deals as un-drafted free agents.
This year, the total number of invites extended to Auburn football players doubled, and six Tigers will get the opportunity to show off their skills to the NFL powers-that-be.
Both of Auburn’s standout edges were invited to the combine similar to how they were both invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl that took place last weekend. Hall finished up his four-year career on the Plains with 146 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles.
Eku Leota, who truly only played 1.5 seasons at Auburn due to an injury sustained in the middle of the 2023 season, finished his career as a Tiger with 40 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and one forced fumble.
Also invited to the combine is star running back Tank Bigsby, who ended his stint at Auburn with 2,903 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns in addition to 448 receiving yards. Kicker Anders Carlson, who has added to the Carlson legacy started by his older brother, will go to the combine after five seasons on the Plains, totaling 79 field goals and 173 PATs.
Linebacker Owen Pappoe, who did not participate in the senior bowl due to injury, finished up his time as a Tiger with 256 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and nine passes deflected, and made his mark as a true leader in orange and blue.
Colby Wooden, a defensive lineman who will be moving on from the Plains after four years, is the final Tiger to earn an invite to the combine. Wooden totaled 152 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, and three forced fumbles, and is leaving Auburn football in the hands of his younger brother, safety Caleb Wooden.
The 2023 NFL Combine will take place from February 27-March 6 with televised drills from March 2-5.