Senior offensive lineman Josh LeRibeus (77) clears the way for the SMU backfield during the Sept. 10 game against UTEP. (Michael Danser/The Daily Campus)
Of the more than 300 top NFL prospects invited to the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, two Mustangs scored a spot on the invite list.
Offensive linemen Kelvin Beachum and Josh LeRibeus will represent SMU at the Combine Feb. 22-28 in Indianapolis, Ind.
Beachum has started in every game since his freshman year at left tackle.
He was named First-Team All-Conference USA in 2010 and to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s All-Texas Team in 2009. The 6-foot-3, 306-pound senior is from Mexia, Texas.
LeRibeus, 6-foot-2, 311 pounds, is a two-letter senior from Richardson, Texas. After seeing no game time in the 2010 season, he started all 14 games in 2011.
This past season, both Beachum and LeRibeus blocked for conference-leading running back Zach Line and a nationally top-25 passing offense.
The NFL Combine is a chance for prospective new NFL players to impress more than 600 NFL top executives, coaches, general managers and scouts from all 32 NFL teams.
The seven days consist of drills, workouts, physical and psychological examinations and interviews in Lucas Oil Stadium. The event is an extremely important time for athletes who dream of playing in the NFL.
“I’m extremely honored and humbled about the opportunity that God and the NFL Combine selecting committee have afforded me,” Beachum said. “I’m looking forward to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase my God-given talents and be around extremely competitive athletes. I also can’t wait to experience the strenuous interview process that will go along with the awesome event – I love challenges so I am really looking forward to this.”
Beachum is currently in Indianapolis preparing for the Combine at St. Vincent’s Sports Performance to learn the techniques and mentalities associated with each test and individual drill.
Beachum and LeRibeus follow the footsteps of several recent Mustangs to attend the Combine including current New Orleans Saint punter Thomas Morstead (2009), Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (2010) and Washington Redskin wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (2011).
Along with SMU, Houston, Memphis, Rice and Southern Miss are also sending two athletes to the Combine. Marshall, UCF and UAB will each send one athlete, totaling 13 athletes from Conference USA as NFL prospects.
