Eight Razorbacks Invited To NFL Combine

NEW YORK – Eight members of the 2016 Arkansas football team have been invited to the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from Feb. 28 to March 6.

The eight Razorbacks invited include: punter Toby Baker, linebacker Brooks Ellis, wide receiver Keon Hatcher, defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter, wide receiver Drew Morgan, offensive lineman Dan Skipper, tight end Jeremy Sprinkle and defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr.

Arkansas is tied for fourth in the Southeastern Conference and tied for seventh nationally in NFL Scouting Combine invites this year.

Baker, a Burlsworth Trophy semifinalist, punted 57 times and finished with a 44.4 average to rank fourth in the SEC and 13th nationally in 2016. He boomed 21 punts 50 yards or longer, including a career-best 60-yarder at Missouri that was downed at the 1-yard line. In addition, he showcased his accuracy throughout the season, placing 23 punts inside the 20-yard line with only three touchbacks. The Memphis, Tennessee, product allowed only 101 yards on 18 returns for a 5.6 average.

Ellis led the Razorbacks in tackles for the second straight year with 83 and also recorded a team-high 7.0 tackles for loss. For his career, he totaled 290 tackles, including 22.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, 13 pass breakups. He also had four interceptions, including one returned 47 yards for a touchdown during a win at then-No. 15 TCU earlier this season. In the classroom, Ellis is a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member and became the first Arkansas football student-athlete to earn Academic All-America honors twice in a career. In addition, Ellis was named SEC Scholar Athlete of the year and was honored as one of 12 finalists for the 2016 William V. Campbell Trophy, considered by many to be the “Academic Heisman,” and a member of the National Scholar-Athlete Class.

Hatcher, from Owasso, Oklahoma, led the Razorbacks in receiving this season, hauling in 44 passes for 743 yards and eight touchdowns. A fifth-year senior, Hatcher closed out his collegiate career with 130 receptions for 1,866 yards and 19 touchdowns. His 19 career receiving TDs rank fourth all-time in program history.

In two seasons with the Razorbacks, Ledbetter compiled 104 tackles, including 15.0 for loss and 7.5 sacks, in 26 games played. The Orlando, Florida, product took over as a starter on the defensive line in the second game of the 2015 season and never relinquished that role, finishing his career with a streak of 25 straight starts. In 2016, Ledbetter led the Razorbacks with 5.5 sacks, tallied 49 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, to go along with two pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Morgan, who holds two of the program’s top five records for single-season receptions, had a team-best 65 catches for 739 yards and three touchdowns as a senior. The Greenwood, Arkansas, native also tied for second in the SEC in first down receptions with 40. He finished his four-year career with 138 receptions for 1,763 yards and 14 TDs. His 138 career catches are tied for seventh all-time in program history.

A three-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, Skipper started all 13 games at left tackle during his senior campaign. One of three players to be named SEC Lineman of the Week twice this season, Skipper helped pave the way for sophomore running back Rawleigh Williams III to capture the SEC regular season rushing title with 1,326 yards on the ground, while junior quarterback Austin Allen threw for an SEC-best 3,430 yards. Skipper finished his career with 47 consecutive starts on the offensive line with 26 coming at left tackle, 13 at right tackle and eight at left guard. He became the 56th All-American in program history, including the sixth under Coach Bielema, when he was named to the 2016 AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team following the regular season.

Sprinkle finished his senior season tied for second among SEC tight ends with four touchdowns, fourth in yards (380) and fifth in receptions (33). For his career, Sprinkle totaled 71 receptions for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns. He finished as Arkansas’ all-time leader in touchdown receptions by a tight end.

Wise, who led the SEC with 8.0 sacks during conference play in 2015, closed out his career ranked 10th on Arkansas’ career sacks list with 16.5 and ninth among SEC active career leaders. Out of his 16.5 career sacks, 11.5 came against conference opponents. A native of Carrollton, Texas, Wise turned in a big performance in the East-West Shrine Game in January. He recorded a game-high eight tackles, including 1.5 sacks and another tackle for loss, as well as four quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.