Former Hoosiers compete at NFL Scouting Combine

Former IU football players Tracy Porter, James Hardy and Tim Bugg performed at the NFL Scouting Combine at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, hoping to do well enough to make it the first of many pro stadiums in which they perform.\nThe combine, which tests players of all positions, is a four-day event for scouts of all 32 teams to evaluate draft hopefuls. \nPorter had the fourth-fastest 40-yard-dash time among cornerbacks, with a time of 4.37 seconds. He also was a top performer among cornerbacks in the 20- and 60-yard shuttles, finishing with the fastest and second-fastest times, respectively.\n“He was comfortable with his times,” said Paul Lawrence, Porter’s agent. “He asked me if I (he) should do it again, and I said ‘They know you’re fast, you don’t need to.’”\nAlso trying to boost his draft stock was Hardy. Listed at 6-foot-7 in the IU football media guide, he was measured an inch shorter according to NFL.com. Hardy did finish in the top 10 for wide receivers in four of the seven events, including the bench press. \nThe strong performance in the bench press could prove crucial for Hardy, who, according to draft experts, is either a late first round or early second round pick. \nThe final Hoosier who was invited to the Combine was former long snapper Tim Bugg. Bugg, who is considered the best long snapper in the country coming out of college according to NFL.com and ESPN.com, went to the combine as a specialist. Bugg might be the only pure long snapper in the 2008 draft. \nThe next chance for the hopeful draft picks to make an impression on scouts will be Wednesday at IU’s pro day, where scouts come to look specifically at IU players.