The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis is officially underway.
This week, over 300 of college football's most talented athletes will get a chance to showcase their skills and elevate their draft stock leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.
Among the 321 prospects invited to this year’s event, six former Utes are in attendance: Devaughn Vele, Keaton Bills, Sataoa Laumea, Jonah Elliss, Cole Bishop, and Sione Vaki.
Before combine live drills began on Feb. 29th, each prospect was given a few days to acquaint themselves with the process, undergo a series of medical exams, and most importantly begin meeting with interested NFL teams.
Combine interviews have historically been known to include wacky questions and tasks.
In 2019, Kentucky CB Lonnie Johnson told reporters that the Seattle Seahawks made him compete in a staring contest with a staff member. In 2016, former NFL player Austen Lane, tweeted questions he had been asked at the combine such as, “If you had to murder someone: Would you use a gun or a knife?” and “Do you think your mother is attractive?”
One former Ute at this year's Scouting Combine now has his own unique interview story, after a team reportedly instructed him to showcase his jump shot.
Cole Bishop has garnered a wide range of attention in the pre-draft process thanks to his versatile skillset at safety. The three-time Pac-12 All-Conference safety, who excels both near the line of scrimmage and in coverage, has reportedly met with teams like the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans leading up to this year’s draft.
On Thursday, Feb. 29th, Bishop also revealed that he had met with the Philadelphia Eagles, who utilized a rather unorthodox interview method of having him shoot a basketball. In an interview with combine reporters posted on X, Bishop noted that the Eagles had him shoot three mid-range basketball shots, of which he went 0-3.
It’s unclear how shooting a basketball translates to playing safety, but Eagles GM Howie Roseman seemingly values how his defenders perform on the hardwood. That, or he is looking for a new guard to join his pickup team in Philly.
Despite shooting a donut on the court, Bishop should impress scouts when he competes in on-field combine drills on Friday, March 1st.
The former Utah standout is currently pinned as PFF’s 164th-best overall prospect and a fringe top-10 safety by multiple draft outlets.
More must-reads: