Former Wolverine defensive end Frank Clark, wide receiver-tight end hybrid Devin Funchess, and linebacker Jake Ryan have been invited to the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, it was announced this afternoon (Feb. 6). If they accept the invitation to attend the NFL Combine, they will participate in an assortment of drills that consist of sprinting, running through cones, jumping, lifting weights, being measured, and stepping on a scale, the results of which will be used by all 32 NFL teams to evaluate their draft stock and likelihood to be successful at the professional level.
Clark played in 10 games last season, during which he recorded 42 tackles (29 solo), 13.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and two pass breakups, before he was dismissed from the program after his domestic violence arrest. NFLDraftScout ranks Clark as the 25th-best defensive end and projects him to be a seventh-round pick.
Funchess, who appeared in 11 games last season as a junior, declared early for the NFL Draft after posting 62 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns. Though Funchess had an underwhelming season, NFL scouts love his size, length, and athleticism, which's why NFLDraftScout ranks him the seventh-best wideout and 32nd-best prospect overall.
Ryan capped his Michigan career by earning All-Big Ten first-team honors after producing 112 tackles (67 solo), 14 tackles-for-loss, two sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and an interception. However, Ryan is projected only to be a sixth-rounder at the moment, which may be due to his unorthodox style and ACL tear in 2013.
One notable former Wolverine that wasn't invited to the Combine was quarterback Devin Gardner. He has made the switch from signal caller to wide receiver -- a position he played for a partial season in 2012 -- to improve his chances of making the NFL. Gardner practiced as a wide receiver at the Shrine Game in January -- and impressed -- and is projected to be a seventh-round selection. But it wasn't enough to avoid the snub.
Also, running back Thomas Rawls, who transferred from Michigan to CMU, was invited.
The Combine will be held February 17-23, 2015, and televised by the NFL Network.