With the 2024 NFL Draft on the horizon, prospects around the country are preparing to put their athleticism on display for pro scouts starting Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. This year’s crop of over 300 prospects includes three Cougars: defensive backs Chau Smith-Wade and Jaden Hicks, and defensive lineman Brennan Jackson.

Jackson will get the first crack at the Combine, going with the defensive lineman and linebackers on day one Thursday starting at noon. Smith-Wade and Hicks will be quick to follow, showcasing their talents with the defensive backs and tight ends on Friday at noon.

No Cougs will participate, but the quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs will get their turn Saturday at 10 a.m., with the offensive lineman wrapping things up Sunday at 10 a.m.

The athletes will participate in several drills to test their physical traits like the 40-yard dash for speed, bench press for strength, vertical and broad jump for explosion and three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle to test change of direction and footwork.

Following that they will participate in several other coach-led drills that change from year to year to test their ability to move in space and hand skills.

The three Cougs continue to stick together after participating in the week of Senior Bowl practices earlier this year, with Smith-Wade and Jackson participating in the Senior Bowl game. Smith-Wade has already likely improved his draft stock after earning defensive MVP honors in the coveted collegiate all-star game.

The combine now provides the three Cougs with a chance to prove their health, talk to NFL coaches, executives and scouts and hopefully put numbers up in testing that will continue to grow their potential NFL Draft stock.

WSU will hold its own Pro Day on March 28, where several more Coug seniors with pro aspirations will showcase their athletic talents, and Smith-Wade, Hicks and Jackson all can give it another go if they please. The Scouting Combine, however, is an unbelievable opportunity in front of all 32 NFL teams and many more pro organizations.

Just the invite to the combine alone means that these Cougs are on the pro radar, which is a step in the right direction. Now it is up to them to go show what they can do under the pro spotlight, and in front of the eyes of millions.

The Combine takes place in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, the home of the Indianapolis Colts. The Combine can be seen on NFL Network starting Thursday.