Big Ten NFL Combine Notebook: Why No. 27 Means So Much to Minnesota's Tyler Nubin
INDIANAPOLIS — Tyler Nubin's necklace caught the attention of several reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday morning. The former Minnesota defensive back donned a diamond-encrusted "27" around his neck.
Nubin didn't purchase the jewelry simply because it's been his jersey number dating back to high school. No, the No. 27 has a special meaning.
"So, 27 means a lot to me. My uncle, Steve King, he played cornerback opposite Charles Woodson at Michigan. He ended up passing away about 10, 11 years ago," Nubin said. "He was really, really close with me and my family, especially me coming up throughout my football career.
"He was at every single game. And so when he passed away, I just wanted to carry on his legacy, because he was the first one to wear 27. That's really super important to me. That's why I keep wearing 27 — throughout high school and college and hopefully I can bring it to the NFL, because nobody in my family has done that before."
Nubin is trying to make a splash in Indianapolis this week, hoping to improve his draft stock by participating in the combine. He worked hard to get to this moment — something he only dreamed of as a kid.
In his five seasons at Minnesota, Nubin racked up 207 tackles, 13 interceptions and 11 passes defended. He had his best year in 2023, piling up 34 stops and five picks for the Golden Gophers.
But Nubin's love for the game began at a much younger age. When he was a youngster, he would go to Chicago with his uncle, who would give him plenty of pointers about the game.
"He meant everything to me, man. Honestly, I still remember going into the city and going to the park and playing catch with him," Nubin said. "Teaching me how to catch the football, how to defend — things like that. He was one of the first guys to do that other than my dad.
"When he passed away, it was really heartbreaking for me. That's why I try to emulate his intensity that he brought to the field every single time I'm out there."
Nubin may not get to share this special moment with the man who helped teach him the game of football, but he knows his uncle would be incredibly proud.
"He wouldn't believe I was here right now. He'd probably be crying happy tears."
Cooper DeJean updates injury status
Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean confirmed he suffered a fractured fibula during a practice in mid-November, sidelining him for the final four games of the 2023 season. The good news? The recovery process is progressing as scheduled.
"I injured my leg, my fibula, in mid November, had surgery a couple days later and been rehabbing ever since," DeJean said. "Everything is going as planned. I just started running a week ago — full speed. So, that's been good."
Per ESPN, DeJean will not workout at the NFL Combine this week at Lucas Oil Stadium. He also does not plan to workout at Iowa's pro day on March 18.
The former Hawkeye said he "definitely" wants to workout before the draft, perhaps sometime in early April.
DeJean is currently projected as the No. 17 pick in the NFL Draft, per ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.
Chop Robinson's blazing 40-yard dash time
Do your thing, Chop Robinson. The Penn State defensive end told reporters on Wednesday that he wanted to post a 4.4-second time in the 40-yard dash during his NFL Combine workout on Thursday.
That's exactly what he did, too.
Robinson recorded a blazing time of 4.48 seconds, fastest among defensive linemen running the 40-yard dash. Here's the clip (the post reads 4.49, but it was later confirmed his official time was 4.48):
Heading into the combine, Robinson was one of the more intriguing prospects in attendance. After his effort on Thursday, it's easy to see why.
Tommy Eichenberg's stock falling?
The title of 2023 Big Ten Linebacker of the Year doesn't seem to be helping Ohio State's Tommy Eichenberg much at the NFL Combine. NFL.com
NFL.com tabbed the former Buckeyes linebacker as one of the players whose stock was hurt the most on Thursday.
"He chose not to run the 40 at the combine, though, and his length (31 5/8-inch arm, 77 1/8-inch wingspan) and jumps (32 1/2-inch vertical, 9-foot-8 broad) were average for the position," NFL.com's Chad Reuter wrote.
"While he was solid moving in coverage drills, Eichenberg did not do much to dispel concerns scouts might have about his overall athleticism. His chances of being picked on Day 2 of the draft now rest largely on his pro day performance."
Related Big Ten stories
- COMBINE FEELS LIKE SCHEMBECHLER HALL: Michigan sent a total of 18 players to Indianapolis for the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. As defensive lineman Braiden McGregor put it, downtown Indy "feels like Schembechler Hall" with so many Wolverines in town. CLICK HERE
- WHY BARNER LEFT IU FOR UM: A.J. Barner transferred out of Indiana after the 2022 season. At the NFL Scouting Combine, the former Hoosiers tight end said he transferred to Michigan because he wanted to compete for a national championship. CLICK HERE