On Saturday the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine will welcome quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends; among them will be two marquee players representing the state universities of Colorado.
Rashard Higgins set school records for receptions, yards and touchdowns while at CSU, but on Saturday he’ll simply be known as WO17.
Nelson Spruce set a Pac-12 record for career receptions during his time at Colorado, but he’ll wipe the slate clean and become WO39.
Opinions are varied about each one’s respective rankings among wide receivers, but each can help his draft stock with a solid performance Saturday.
Here’s a quick rundown of the stats each one carries into the combine, along with their ranking on the various draft boards among wide receivers.
Rashard Higgins – WR, Colorado State
Stats & Info
Age: 21
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 190 lbs
NCAA Receptions: 238
NCAA Yards: 3,648
NCAA Touchdowns: 31
Key Awards: AP First-Team All-American (2014), Consensus All-American (2014)
Ranking Among WRs
CBS Sports: 9th
Draft Utopia: 10th
NFL Draft Geek: 13th
Walter Football: 19th
Pros & Cons
Pros: Higgins is incredibly fast, both in a line and making cuts. Despite his small frame, he’s aggressive on the ball and his vertical leap is impressive. At only 21, he should be able to add size to his frame.
Cons: After a consensus All-American campaign as a sophomore, Higgins experienced the unusual “junior slump.” Was it because of the departure of coach Jim McElwain and quarterback Garrett Grayson? Or did the accolades go to “Hollywood’s” head?
Nelson Spruce – WR, Colorado
Stats & Info
Age: 23
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 205 lbs
NCAA Receptions: 294
NCAA Yards: 3,347
NCAA Touchdowns: 23
Key Awards: All-Time Pac-12 Leader – Receptions
Ranking Among WRs
CBS Sports: 37th
Draft Utopia: 20th
NFL Draft Geek: 24th
Walter Football: 26th
Pros & Cons
Pros: Spruce was the model of consistency for a program that was anything but. As the lone offensive weapon nearly every single game his junior and senior years, he still compiled nearly 200 catches over those two years. He’s sure-handed and used to making touch catches in double-coverage.
Cons: The culture shock of going from a team that won just 11 games over his four years into an NFL locker room could be quite severe. Spruce was the big man on campus in a program that had little to cheer about. He’ll have to find another ‘compete’ gear once he reaches the NFL if he hopes to latch on to a team permanently.