Edward Aschoff, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

SEC players who helped NFL draft stock

Now that the NFL combine has come to a close, it's time for all these NFL hopefuls to turn their attention to more training and then eventually the NFL draft itself. It's a long way out, but now that all the poking and prodding is done, we might as well take a quick look back at the top performers from the few days in Indianapolis.

The SEC has a very good and very storied history with the NFL draft and it's likely that exceptional relation should continue in 2015. Thanks to the combine, we got to see some SEC studs really get to show out before they tackle their individual pro days. There were also a few guys who really helped their prospective draft status by showing out in Indy. Here are a few guys who made impressive statements and might have improved their draft stock in the process:

Justin Coleman, CB, Tennessee He finished in the top 10 among all defensive backs in the vertical jump (37.5 inches), broad jump (10 feet, 3 inches) and bench press of 225 pounds (20 reps). He also topped everyone at the combine by finishing the three-cone drill in 6.61 seconds and placed in the top-10 overall in both the 20-yards shuffle (3.98) and 60-yards shuffle (11.21).

Chris Conley, WR, Georgia: Well, it's pretty clear Conley was eating right and doing a few box jumps while making his homemade "Star Wars" movie. Conley might have redefined the word "freak" during his incredibly impressive athletic showing at the combine. Conley registered the third-best 40 time by a wide receiver (4.35), but he set records by a wide receiver with a 45-inch vertical and a broad jump of 11 feet, 7 inches. He also did 18 reps of 225 pounds.

Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky: Talk about someone's draft stock shooting through the roof. Dupree came in as a possible first-round draft pick and left Indy solidifying that projection. He blew scouts away with his blazing 4.56 40 time, a broad jump of 11 feet, 5 inches and a 42-inch vertical jump. A groin injury kept him from participating in combine drills, but his athleticism was certainly showcased.

Senquez Golson, CB, Ole Miss: Heading into the draft, people wondered if Golson's height -- or lack thereof -- would hurt him at the next level. That's yet to be seen, but what we actually saw at the combine was a pretty impressive showing during defensive back drills. Golson didn't really blow scouts away with the more athletic drills. Golson ran a 4.46 40 and repped 225 15 times, but where he really impressed was in the field drills. He was one of the best during the "gauntlet" drill, showing off his quick feet and solid hands.

Mitch Morse, OG, Missouri: He might not have all the measurables scouts want, but Morse showed some athleticism and strength over the weekend. He ranked second overall with 36 reps of 225 and showed solid quickness with a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.50, which ranked third among offensive linemen and a three-cone drill time of 7.60. Morse is already a pretty versatile lineman, so his numbers from the weekend can only help him come April.

Jermaine Whitehead, S, Auburn: Landon Collins is the unquestioned top safety prospect in the draft, but Whitehead had an impressive day in Indy. While his 4.59 40 wasn't great, he finished in the top for safeties in the vertical (37 inches), broad jump (10 feet, 8 inches), three-cone drill (6.95) and 20-yard shuttle (4.11). The thing about Whitehead is that he's a relative unknown in this draft. He entered the combine as a possible undrafted, free-agent prospect, but might have helped creep into the draft with his numbers. Maybe not, but Whitehead impressed.

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