USC outside linebacker Morgan Breslin wasn't invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, and he's not happy about that.
"I honestly thought I should've got an invite to the combine," he told FOXSports.com. "I was pretty pissed about that."
There will be 20 outside linebackers at the combine.
Breslin (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) lacks athleticism, though he is a pass-rush threat. He had 17.5 sacks in his two seasons at USC, including 13 in 2012, when he played a full season. He had 4.5 sacks in five games in 2013, when he missed time because of a foot injury, then had to have late-season surgery for a sports hernia. He spent his first two seasons in junior college.
An appearance at the combine would've enabled him to show teams he is healthy; now that will have to come on USC's pro day.
"I always had a huge chip on my shoulder, but now I have even more to prove," Breslin said. "I'm really looking forward to my pro day."
That Breslin spoke about the snub says a lot: He was notoriously close-mouthed as a Trojan and frequently turned down media requests for interviews.
Breslin played end in 2012, then moved to outside linebacker in 2013. He is too small to play end in the NFL and his lack of time at linebacker is a concern. Still, he has proven he can get to the quarterback, a coveted trait. Despite the combine snub, Breslin still could be a third-day pick with a solid pro day. While there may be concerns over his lack of athleticism, his relentlessness and production are huge positives.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
