D1 Combine Update

The Bears and Packers brought in Eastern Michigan's T.J. Lang for a pre-draft visit. Lang was a left tackle in college but will probably play right tackle or guard at the next level. He's been gaining traction on draft boards all spring and could easily be selected in the third round. That’s great for a guy who didn’t receive a combine invite. Illinois’ Xavier Fulton has also been gaining a lot of ground since his combine performance. Fulton played defensive line early on in college but then moved to offense, where he really found his game. He is a very raw talent and has a lot of upside that has caught the eye of the New York Giants where the offensive line is a big issue. Nevada’s Jerome Johnson started at inside and outside linebacker during his time at Nevada but scouts wanted to see him at fullback, a position he considers his most natural. Teams think he could be a big thumper. He recorded an impressive 4.7-second 40-yard dash at pro day and recently visited the Packers. Cincinnati’s Brandon Underwood is slated to go late in the draft because he only started one year, but what a year it was. Underwood tallied impressive stats playing both FS and CB in 2008 to earn him all-conference honors. He has the size and impressive speed but lacks the experience. However, no one really knows until draft day. Underwood is truly a “diamond in the rough.” USC’s Kaluka Maiava is a football player. Despite irregular playing time in his senior year, Maiava recorded the third most tackles for the Trojans and was the MVP of the Rose Bowl. Maiava is better suited to play WLB, but would be a great addition for depth and could play in the rotation immediately. He has fielded calls from Atlanta, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Seattle and Miami recently. ''I haven't really heard anything solid,'' Maiava said. ''Some guys tell me early rounds some guys tell me late rounds. I'm just hoping for the best. I have heard as high as the second round, but I don't want to jinx it. You never know where you are going.”