It may seem like only yesterday that the Eagles crushed the Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX and the 2024 NFL Championship.
Truth is, it was all of 17 days ago when the confetti rained down on Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and their Philadelphia teammates in the post-game celebration on the floor of Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
The book on the new season will be opened this week in Indianapolis where more than 325 prospects have been invited to attend the annual Pre-Draft NFL Combine. It will be very familiar for many of us who traveled when we were younger to Indianapolis where the Combine has been held since 1987.
Once in Indy, the young players will participate in drills and undergo physical exams by dozens of team doctors and other medical staff. It will be the first time that NFL coaches, owners and general managers will have an opportunity to see the collegians up close, conduct speed interviews in person, and verify the reams of information that road scouts and other player personnel staffers have been compiling for the last several months.
The current Indianapolis version of the Combine has grown into a week-long televised event with live coverage by NFL Network, ESPN and dozens of local stations. The number of print and digital reporters has grown exponentially, especially in this age of social media, and more than 1,600 are expected in Indianapolis starting tonight.
The 325 young participants are expected to include the sons of at least a dozen of our fellow alums who will have a special interest in the event. Those alumni (and their sons) include:
- Mark Bruener (Steelers, Texans; 1995-2003) His son Carson played last season at the University of Washington.
- Howard Cross, Jr (Giants; 1989-2001) His son Howard played last season at Notre Dame.
- Oronde Gadsen (Cowboys, Dolphins; 1995-2003) His son Oronde II played last season at Syracuse.
- Chris Hinton (Colts, Falcons, Vikings; 1983-95) His son Myles played last season at Michigan.
- Pete Kendall (Seahawks, Cardinals, Jets, Redskins; 1996-2008) His son Drew played last season at Boston College.
- Jim Lachey (Chargers, Raiders, Redskins; 1985-95) His son Luke played last season at Iowa.
- Ray Mickens (Jets, Browns, Patriots; 1996-2006) His son R.J. played last season at Clemson.
- Darryl Morrison (Redskins; 1993-96) His son Benjamin played last season at Notre Dame.
- Jamar Nesbit (Panthers, Jaguars, Saints; 1999-2009) His son Bryson played last season at North Carolina.
- Spencer Reid (Cardinals, Colts; 1998-99) His son Karene played last season at Utah.
- Deion Sanders (Falcons, 49ers, Cowboys, Redskins, Ravens; 1989-2005) His son Shedeur played last season at Colorado.
- Jason Taylor (Dolphins, Redksins, Jets; 1997-2011) His son Mason played last season at LSU.
We at NFL Alumni wish success to all the young men who will be auditioning for a 2025 roster spot during the next few days.
