Big Ten NFL Combine Notebook: 'Feels Like Schembechler Hall' in Indianapolis

Michigan sent a total of 18 players to Indianapolis for the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. As defensive lineman Braiden McGregor put it, downtown Indy "feels like Schembechler Hall" with so many Wolverines in town.

INDIANAPOLIS — Walking around the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium this week has felt a little bit like Big Ten Championship weekend. Back in December, Michigan won its third consecutive conference title. This week, 18 Wolverines have returned to downtown Indianapolis for the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

Five former Michigan standouts — Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, Kris Jenkins, Junior Colson and Mike Barrett — stepped up to the podium on Wednesday, as defensive linemen and linebackers addressed the media. 

It's been a reunion of sorts for the Wolverines in Indianapolis. Sure, less than two months ago, they were all on the field together, celebrating a national championship victory over Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston. But training schedules tend to pull players in different directions in the time between the National Championship Game and the NFL Scouting Combine.

With so many familiar faces in Indianapolis this week, it feels a little bit like the Wolverines are back in Ann Arbor.

"It feels like Schembechler Hall around here," McGregor said. "Everywhere I look — to my right I've got Jaylen. I see Blake (Corum) all the time. I think offensive line gets in today. I saw AJ (Barner). You see everybody. ... It's awesome. 

"Everybody keeps saying, 'You guys roll deep.' So, it's pretty cool." 

Michigan's 18 invitations to the combine were the most of any school in college football. Only six other programs sent 10 players or more to Indianapolis for the week: Washington (13), Florida State (12), Georgia, (11), Texas (11), Alabama (10) and Penn State (10).

Some programs might be satisfied with sending nearly an entire starting offense and defense to the NFL combine, but Colson was a little greedy. He thought the number could've been higher.

"We could have still had more," he said.

At the end of the day, though, the NFL Combine served as an opportunity for those 18 players from Michigan to reunite — if only for a few moments. Now, they'll start pursuing their dreams of putting on an NFL uniform.

"You know what, it's a blessing," Harrell said. "We got a lot of guys here. It just speaks volumes to all the hard work we put in, just the level of talent we had all year." 

Steele Chambers 'flips the script'

Usually, reporters are the ones asking prospects questions during the NFL Scouting Combine. Ohio State linebacker Steele Chambers decided to change it up a little bit.

The former Buckeye star posed one of the most ... "interesting" questions of Wednesday's media availability. 

"This is open to the public, you can say whatever you want," Chambers started. "So, if you're gonna go to war and you had to bring four animals with you, what four animals are you choosing to go to war with you and why?"

Apparently, Chambers is going to battle with a polar bear, tiger, elephant and hippopotamus. That's a pretty good squad.

Ohio State Linebacker Steele Chambers flipped the script at media availability asking his own question.

Made me answer: Polar Bear, Hippo, Elephant, and Panther

His: Polar Bear, Tiger, Elephant, and Hippo.

He said his squad would win. I disagree. pic.twitter.com/5KjlbZUKZr

— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) February 28, 2024

So, now it's your turn. What four animals are you going to war with?

How Chop Robinson got his name

Have you ever wondered how Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson got his nickname? If that thought ever crossed your mind, you're in luck!

Robinson revealed the origin of his unique nickname, which dates back to his birth. 

"I was 14 pounds when I was born and my mom gave me the nickname 'Porkchop,'" Robinson said. "Then, once I got older, I started to slim down. I couldn't have people calling me 'Porkchop' anymore because I wasn't big, so I kept 'Chop.'"

Funny enough, that isn't the only nickname attached to Robinson. He said his household name is "Plump," which also refers to his size at birth.

Robinson's actual first name is Demeioun, however, he says that only gets tossed out on special occasions. 

"The only time they call me by my first name is when I'm in trouble or something," he said.

Aaron Casey shouts out Kyle Monangai

Indiana linebacker Aaron Casey has played against some incredibly talented players in the Big Ten. In 2023, one opponent stood out more than the rest.

"This past season, kinda surprised me, the running back from Rutgers (Kyle Monangai)," Casey said. "He had a really good game against us and he's a hard runner. Probably one of the better backs this past year."

That's quite the compliment coming from Casey, who racked up 109 tackles, 6.5 sacks and forced three fumbles for the Hoosiers in 2023.

Monangai debated on declaring for the NFL Draft after a marvelous campaign last season. He rushed for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns for the Scarlet Knights.

Ultimately, the Rutgers running back opted to return for his final season in Piscataway.

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