In less than 24 hours, 329 top NFL prospects will take the next step in the draft process, putting their on the field skills on display in Indianapolis, Ind. The NFL Scouting Combine has called Indy home for nearly 40 years, hosting its first scouting camp back in 1987.
Testing for the athletes officially gets underway on Thursday, Feb. 27th but the front end of the week brought together NFL officials, front office personnel of all 32 clubs, agents, and media personalities for all things football business ahead of the new league year.
Before the next generation of NFL hopefuls go through the multi-day event, the 49ers content team asked a couple members of last year's draft class to share a story or piece of advice from their experience.
Cornerback Renardo Green, the 49ers second-round pick, offered this advice:
"Lock in, and be you."
At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Green ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds, along with a 37.5-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10 feet, 10 inches.
Running back Isaac Guerendo, a fourth-round selection for the San Francisco 49ers, shared this:
"My advice to players going into this year's combine would be to embrace the experience and the moment. You getting invited wasn't a mistake. You know exactly what you're capable of, so don't worry about what the other guys' numbers are. This is about you and your performance, so do your best to block out the noise, be locked in, and intentional with everything you've been perfecting while training. Don't rush anything. It's always better to take more time than rush. Lastly, enjoy it! You were selected for a reason!"
Guerendo went on to post a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, the fastest amongst all running backs at the combine, and a 41.5-inch vertical, the highest jump amongst all running backs.
Safety Malik Mustapha, also a fourth-round pick by the 49ers, sent this:
"(My) combine story would be when I had only one formal interview at the combine, and it was with the 49ers. It was surreal because I grew up being a fan, and I was starstruck when I saw Frank Gore in the meeting room along with the other coaches and staff. I was nervous the whole time, but it was the best interview I've ever done. Then, John Lynch called me on draft day, and the rest is history."
According to 247sports.com, Mustapha logged a 41.5-inch vertical, the highest amongst safeties.
Wide receiver Jacob Cowing, another fourth-round pick by the 49ers, messaged this:
"(The) best advice I can give is to let the training take over. Don't let the moment get too big, and just do what you've been doing for years!"
Cowing ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and logged a 36-inch vertical jump at last year's combine. Off the field, Cowing also made sure to add his own personal touch to the pre-draft process, sending a thank you card to the 49ers coaching staff after his meeting with them.
