Myron Lewis and Thomas Welch invited to NFL combine

ESPN's Chris Low reports on his SEC blog that Myron Lewis and Thomas Welch have been invited to the NFL combine Feb. 24-March 2 in Indianapolis.

It was no secret that cornerback Myron Lewis has big-time NFL potential, and Thomas Welch, the kid who came to Nashville as a 220-pound tight end and promptly strapped on the feed bag and became an offensive tackle, is the other logical invitee from among the Commodore seniors.

LSU had a whopping 11 seniors invited, while Georgia and Miss State had only one each.

Other Vandy kids whose names may pop up in draft conversations, in this order:

1. Defensive end Steven Stone: We really missed Stone this season. He was back in time for the Florida game, where he gave Tebow fits. Always solid against the run and the pass, he could get a shot.

2. Defensive end Broderick Stewart: Carlos Dunlap speed and height, but 60 pounds lighter; could get a shot.

3. Linebacker Patrick Benoist: A great, gutsy college linebacker who lacks the size and gifts but could bounce around some in the bigs.

4. Defensive tackle Greg Billinger: A solid player for us, but wouldn't have started for any other SEC team.

5. Punter Brett Upson: Boy, it was fun to watch him punt. But he simply lacks the big leg to play with the big boys.


6. Safety Ryan Hamilton: A great, gutsy college safety whose failed attempt for a sixth year of eligibility was probably his last gridiron hurrah.

7. Center Bradley Vierling: OK, I'll buy Welch getting drafted, but how in the world could we have two NFL draft picks from the miserable line we fielded most of the season?