By Joshua Huff, sports editor
The NFL released its full list of 2020 scouting combine invitees on Friday and former Hewitt-Trussville and Auburn defensive back Noah Igbinoghene has been selected as one of 337 prospects throughout the country invited to participate in the annual beauty pageant.
The NFL Scouting Combine will take place in Indianapolis from Feb. 24 through March 1.
Igbinoghene, a former Hewitt-Trussville All-USA Today Alabama First Team selection, played in 26 career games with Auburn. In his three seasons with the Tigers, he recorded 92 total tackles with 19 passes defended, one forced fumble and one interception. He concluded his final season with the Tigers as the 10th-leading tackler on the team with 42 tackles, one tackle for loss and broke up seven passes.
“My last three years at Auburn have been nothing but a blessing and have been some of the best experiences of my life,” Igbinoghene wrote on Instagram. “If I had to do it all over again, I would still choose Auburn.”
Noah Igbinoghene locking up Ruggs in the slot at the bottom of the screen. Tight coverage forces a perfect throw and catch, but his ability to play through the ball at the catch point gets him the PBU. pic.twitter.com/Il8YnQoYWo
— Connor Livesay (@ConnorNFLDraft) January 28, 2020
In his senior season at Hewitt-Trussville, Igbinoghene recorded over 1,700 all-purpose yards and 18 TDs in 12 games.
Igbinoghene began his career at Auburn as a wide receiver recruited based upon his upside and blazing speed. The son of two Olympic track runners switched to cornerback after a year within the program. Still relatively new to the position, his lack of knowledge of the technicalities that comes with the position has scouts a bit skeptical that he can successfully make the jump so soon, but his ceiling and bloodlines portray a prospect with promise. The biggest criticisms aimed at Igbinoghene is his lack of physicality in all aspects of the game and that his lack of length could become an issue in the next level when asked to press receivers at the line of scrimmage.
According to many draft projections, Igbinoghene has been applauded for his off-the-charts athleticism and elite coverage abilities.
A strong showing at the combine could push him into the mid-second round range, though he is projected to go somewhere between the mid-second or in the early third round.
“I am ready for the next step of my journey,” Igbinoghene said in his sendoff post.
Igbinoghene is one of nine Tigers selected to participate in the combine.
- Arryn Siposs, P
- Noah Igbinoghene, CB
- Derrick Brown, DT
- Marlon Davidson, DE
- Javaris Davis, CB
- Jack Driscoll, OL
- Daniel Thomas, S
- Prince Tega Wanogho, OL
- Nick Coe, LB
