Getting invited to the NFL Scouting Combine doesn't guarantee you'll be a high draft pick, or even drafted at all for that matter, but it definitely doesn't hurt. Deone Bucannon will indeed go through the so called "Underwear Olympics" as he was the players invited.
With Bucannon invited, the Cougars will be represented at the combine in back-to-back years for the first time since 2007-2008, according to NFL Combine Results. Marquess Wilson attended the combine last year. Washington State players have had mixed results at the combine. For Bucannon's sake, hopefully he turns in a performance similar Jason Hill. Hill ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash and jumped 37 inches.
For Bucannon, it's going to be all about foot speed. With his physique I'd expect him to appoint himself well in the bench press. The 40-yard dash, short shuttle and 3-cone drill will be more telling. A 40-yard dash time at 4.6 seconds or better would seemingly be a positive. A short shuttle time in the low 4-second range and a 3-cone time in the upper 6 second or low 7-second range would also be solid times.
The combine doesn't make or break players quite as much as it used to. It is, however, yet another opportunity for Bucannon to prove himself and possibly make a little money by raising his draft stock. It will be held Feb. 22-25 and broadcast on NFL Network.
Football:
Draft prospects invited to 2014 NFL Scouting Combine - NFL.com
Deone Bucannon (SS), Washington State
Portland Night With Cougar Football Event Rescheduled for March 2 - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Due to the weekend's inclement weather conditions in the Portland/Vancouver region, the Night with Cougar Football event, originally scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 2.
Men's basketball:
Lacy leads WSU into tough Utes setting - Spokesman.com - Feb. 7, 2014
In theory, the Washington State men’s basketball team should have a good chance to pick up its first Pac-12 road win today at Utah.
WSU Looks for Pac-12 Road Win at Utah Saturday - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
COUGARS LOOK FOR PAC-12 ROAD WIN AT UTAH: Washington State University men’s basketball (9-13, 2-8) is in search for its first Pac-12 road win of the season as it travels to Salt Lake City to take on Utah (15-7, 4-6), Saturday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT.
Women's basketball:
Cougars Upset Bid Held off By No. 3 Stanford 77-69 - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State was sniffing its first victory ever against No. 3 Stanford in women's basketball - and Chiney Ogwumike was having none of it.
Baseball:
Area roundup: Cougars tabbed for eighth in Pac-12 baseball poll - Spokesman.com - Feb. 7, 2014
Washington State was selected for eighth place in the Pac-12 Conference baseball preseason coaches’ poll, released Thursday.