EWU's Kaufman Grades Out 18th Among 38 Receivers at Combine - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Courtesy EWU Athletics

The intangibles fans from Eastern Washington University and the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision witnessed the last three years from wide receiver Brandon Kaufman, scouts in the National Football League were able to witness Sunday (Feb. 24) at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind.

Overall, Kaufman had a 68.0 grade that ranked 18th among the group of 38 wide receivers. The second-tallest (6-foot-5) and seventh-biggest receiver at the combine (216 pounds), Kaufman also had a vertical jump of 33 1/2 inches in Indianapolis. That combination of attributes helped him consistently out-position and out-jump defensive backs for the ball in his 42-game career for the Eagles.

The two-time FCS All-American caught 221 passes for 3,731 yards (16.9 per catch) and 33 touchdowns in his career as a 37-game starter. He had a FCS-record 1,850 yards receiving in 2012, to go along with 93 receptions and 16 TDs. Eastern won the NCAA Division I title in his sophomore season in 2010, and advanced to the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs in 2012.

Eastern wide receivers coach and pro liaison Junior Adams attended the combine, and says the NFL hopeful did well. Adams will be organizing EWU's annual Pro Day on March 6, with Kaufman and six other former Eagles expected to take part in preparation for the NFL Draft on April 25-27 and other subsequent opportunities in pro football.

"Everything he did was pretty good," said Adams. "At 6-5 he was the second-tallest receiver there, and his ability to go get the ball is his greatest asset. But he also ran good routes and caught the ball well. He showed he is among the elite receivers in college football at any level."

Kaufman took all the tests, including the 40-yard dash (4.67), bench press (nine repetitions of 225 pounds), broad jump (115"), 3-cone drill (7.11), 20-yard shuttle (4.44) and 60-yard shuttle (12.14). Although all but two receivers bettered his 40 time and he was among the lowest-performing players in the bench press, Adams didn't come away concerned.

"Most importantly, he competed hard," added Adams. "He just had off-season shoulder surgery and I didn't think he would be able to do the bench press, but he still was able to bang out nine reps."

Kaufman will get the opportunity to improve upon some of his marks in front of scouts on March 6 at EWU's Pro Day, which starts at 1 p.m. and is open to the media but not the general public. Other former Eagles expected to take part include wide receiver Greg Herd, wide receiver Nicholas Edwards, linebacker Zach Johnson, offensive lineman Will Post, defensive end Jerry Ceja and quarterback Kyle Padron.