INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - South Dakota senior offensive lineman
Tom Compton had a strong showing at the 2012 NLF Draft Combine this past weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. More than 300 top prospects were invited to the event.
"Participating in the combine was a great experience for me," Compton said. "The opportunity to compete with the country's best players and meet with the NFL teams will really go a long way in my goal of getting drafted. I am proud to represent USD and the State of South Dakota in everything I do, and hopefully this will exposure will promote our program."
Compton, a native of Rosemount, Minn., finished 5.11 in the 40 which was fifth-best among offensive linemen beating out first round prospect and Parkston, S.D., native, Riley Reiff (5.23) who attended the University of Iowa. Compton also beat a number of Southeastern Conference and FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) student-athletes, too.
He had the eighth-best vertical at 30.0 inches and a 9'0 broad jump which was third-best. His 3-cone drill also was eighth-best at 7.59 and his 20-yard shuttle was tied for sixth at 4.60. Compton earned Top Performer marks in the 40, vertical, broad jump, 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle.
Compton completed a stellar four year career this past fall for the Coyotes. He earned PhilSteele.com First Team All-America honors, along with Associated Press First Team All-America honors this season as he anchored an offensive line that paved the way for the Great West Conference's second-ranked rushing offense (158.2) and the league's third passing offense (177.6).
He also was a three-time All-Great West Conference selection, including earning first team honors in 2010 and 2011. He also was named Great West Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year in a voting by the league's media.
Compton, according to the NFL Combine, is quick off the ball and can use angles to effectively get up-field on linebackers. He can position and does a good job of not letting his man get behind him. He can get around the line to the second level effortlessly when pulling and has a technically sound pass set which displays his perfect footwork.
The 2012 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 26, 2012, and ends Saturday, April 28, 2012, with television coverage presented by ESPN. The first round is Thursday, followed by the second and third rounds on Friday and rounds 4-7 will be Saturday.
Compton has a chance to be the first Coyote drafted in the current seven-round format. If drafted, he would become the first draftee since Chul Schwanke (RB) who was drafted in 1986 by the Los Angeles Rams in the 11th round.
He has been projected between the fourth and fifth rounds on a number of mock draft sites.
