HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The National Football League released the list of players invited to the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, including Southern Miss wide receiver Quez Watkins (Athens, Ala.). A total of 337 prospects have been invited to attend the annual event, which will take place in Indianapolis, from Feb. 24 through March 1.
Watkins, who entered his name into the NFL draft following his junior campaign, finished his Golden Eagle career second on the school charts in catches (159), receiving yards (2,404) and 100-yard receiving games (10).
The two-time All-Conference USA first-team selection finished his junior year with 1,178 yards on 64 catches with six touchdowns in 11 games. He averaged a league-high 107.1 yards per contest and totaled 18.4 yards per reception. Earlier this season, he became only the fifth player in school history to register at least 200 receiving yards in a game as he produced 209 on seven receptions in a win at Troy.
Attendance to the event, which is by invitation only, includes physical and mental tests in front of NFL coaches, general managers, and scouts. The scouting combine has grown in scope and significance, allowing personnel directors to evaluate upcoming prospects in a standardized setting.
An athlete's performance during the combine can affect their draft status and salary, and ultimately their career.
