The UNLV Rebels just got one step closer to ending their long drought in the NFL Draft.
The program has not seen a player be selected in the draft since 2010, when guard Joe Hawley was a fourth-round choice of the Atlanta Falcons. Since then, the Rebels have been stuck in the mud when it comes to football. However, with former head coach Barry Odom introducing them to national prominence, UNLV now has tangible interest in its players from NFL scouts.
Said interest was confirmed on Thursday, when two former Rebels received exciting news about their prospective professional careers.
Two Rebels have been selected to participate in the NFL Draft Scouting Combine in Indianapolis
UNLV receiver Ricky White III and linebacker Jackson Woodard will be among the 329 participants at the Combine from February 24 to March 3.
White, who has helped the Rebels dominate the Mountain West over the past two seasons, has boosted his stock dramatically since arriving in Las Vegas. A seamless fit in former offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense, White flashed his speed and willingness to attack downfield. This season, he also blocked four punts to make an impact on special teams, giving him a clear floor for NFL teams wanting contributors in that area.
Woodard, on the other hand, is emerging as a Day 3 option for teams wanting linebacker depth. A two-time captain and 2024 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, NFL scouts are watching Woodard closely as a player with strong football IQ and a valuable run stopper at the next level. While there are things to clean up, the general consensus is that he can be a late-round gem for whichever team picks him up and develops him properly.
The two will participate in a series of athletic tests alongside some of the top prospects in the nation, hoping to boost their draft stock with strong performances. They will also have the opportunity to interview with interested teams, helping them build positive impressions on general managers and scouts. A strong outing in both areas could push one or both of White and Woodard further up draft boards.
White and Woodard have earned this chance, and now they hope to seize the moment.
