What Actually Goes On At The NFL Scouting Combine?

The NFL Scouting Combine is currently taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The combine is an annual event where college prospects are evaluated in front of the brass of every NFL team, as the organizations prepare for April's draft.

The modern version of the affair debuted in Arizona, back 1985. New Orleans hosted it the following year, before the combine was permanently moved to Indianapolis in 1987. Originally held at the old home of the Indianapolis Colts, the RCA Dome (1987-2008), the player showcase moved across the street in 2009.

Some of the notable combine evaluations include position-focused drills, the vertical jump, bench press and 40-yard dash, plus a series of interviews and other personality exams. The 40-yard dash and personality profiles tend to be the most talked about aspects of the combine, while also serving as the basis for many of the teams' eventual player selection decisions.

For a long time, television cameras were not allowed at the combine, but now the NFL Network shows exclusive footage, with ESPN providing reporting and analysis throughout the event. The current level of television coverage has allowed the combine to contribute its part in making the NFL the year-round pastime it has clearly become.