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Hokies at the NFL Combine
by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com

The 2008 NFL Combine starts today in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, and a number of former Virginia Tech players will be looking to stand out. They've got a chance to help, or hurt, their positioning for April's NFL Draft. The NFL Combine isn't the only tool used to help measure performance and potential, but it can make a difference for many potential prospects.

11 Virginia Tech players are participating in the NFL Combine. They are: Xavier Adibi, Barry Booker, Duane Brown, Chris Ellis, Brandon Flowers, Vince Hall, Justin Harper, Josh Morgan, D.J. Parker, Carlton Powell and Eddie Royal.

The Hokies have the second-most players of any school at the NFL Combine. Only Southern Cal, with 12 prospects, has more players present in the RCA Dome.

Of course, Tech has the most players present of any ACC school, and it's not even close.

There is no doubt that Virginia Tech was the most talented team in the ACC this past season.

Ten Virginia Tech players are projected to be drafted by NFLDraftScout.com, which has been very accurate in the past with their projections of Tech players. All of these projections will change following the NFL Combine, but here is how they look as of now. Note that NFLDraftScout.com only projects 10 of the 11 Hokies at the Combine to be drafted (Justin Harper is left out).

Xavier Adibi is clearly one of the top five outside linebackers in the draft. He has excellent speed and coverage ability, and can probably get sideline to sideline faster than any other linebacker on the draft board. The only thing keeping him from being a first round selection is his slight frame. He's listed at 6-2, 220. Scouts at the Combine will be extremely impressed with how he tests in the running and agility drills.

Eddie Royal looks to be a first day selection, and could possibly slide up into the late second round with an impressive performance at the Combine. He has excellent speed and a knack for making plays. His ability to return kicks and punts helps his stock quite a bit. Royal was also very impressive at the Senior Bowl, and that shot him up the board in the eyes of many scouts. Size and durability questions hold him back from going higher.

Chris Ellis was once listed as a possible late first round pick. However, his stock has been dropping. At the Senior Bowl, he failed to show much power and upfield burst as a defensive end, and he doesn't have the coverage ability to play linebacker. He probably lacks the upper body strength to be an every down defensive end in the NFL, and it's possible his stock could slip a little more.

Brandon Flowers is currently listed as a third round pick by NFLDraftScout.com, but most projections have him going in the second round. He is the most advanced cornerback in the draft from a technique standpoint. The straight ahead speed is keeping him from being picked in the first round. If he can run a 40-yard dash faster than expected, he could potentially sneak into the late first round.

Duane Brown is thought to be an early second day pick at this point. Brown will impress NFL teams at the Combine with his outstanding athleticism. He helped his stock with a very good senior season. He is a solid all-around player. Showing better than expected strength at the Combine could improve his stock.

D.J. Parker is currently projected as a fourth round pick. He had an excellent week of practice leading up to the Senior Bowl. Although he lacks ideal size, he will impress the scouts at the Combine with his speed.

Vince Hall is projected to go in the fourth or fifth round. Although everyone recognizes him as a great collegiate linebacker, there are questions about his height and speed. He will probably only run around a 4.8 in the 40 yard dash at the Combine. A good performance in his runs can jump him up a bit, but Hall looks destined to be a second day pick no matter what he does at the Combine.

Carlton Powell has solid size and excellent strength. He was the bell cow of Tech's defensive line this past season. He won't blow anyone away with athleticism, but he's a solid football player. He's projected in the fifth round, and likely won't go any higher than that, even with a good Combine.

Josh Morgan is expected to go off the board in the sixth round. Morgan is a very good athlete that will test solidly in most events, but he doesn't have ideal hands for an NFL wide receiver.

Barry Booker has a chance to be taken in the sixth or seventh round. Booker was a very good defensive tackle for Tech, and has good athleticism. Overall strength is what holds him back from being selected higher.