2019 NFL draft: 2 top prospects barred from combine due to past arrests

Two talented prospects in the 2019 NFL draft won’t be invited to this year’s Scouting Combine due to previous arrests for violent offenses.

Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons and Colorado State wide receiver Preston Williams have been barred from this year’s event, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero:

Mississippi State DT Jeffery Simmons – a potential top-10 pick – and Colorado State WR Preston Williams have been informed they won’t be invited to the scouting combine because they don't meet the criteria under the NFL's policy about past issues involving violence, sources say.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 31, 2019

Simmons was arrested in 2016 after a physical altercation with a woman. Williams was arrested in 2017 for an altercation involving a woman. They are the only two known to be barred under this year, sources say, but invitations have been rescinded in past after background checks.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 31, 2019

Simmons is widely considered one of this year’s top overall defensive prospects, with a chance to be selected in the top 10. Williams is projected as a mid-round pick.

The NFL Scouting Combine has recently implemented policies that reserve the right to withhold invitations to prospects who have violent offenses on their legal records.