At combine, college experience seen as a winning play

Linebacker Ochaun Mathis went all-in by betting an extra year of college football could help him make an NFL roster.

He knew entering the league at age 24 was a risky proposition, given most players’ careers end at about age 25. He knew scouts and team decision-makers would likely knock him down a few pegs on draft boards because he was older. He also thought he needed more time to develop.

Now, with an additional year of development, the former Nebraska star has landed here, in Indianapolis at the league’s annual scouting combine, with an opportunity to chase his dream job.

“Yes, they want a younger guy and that has a real impact on me coming into the draft,” Mathis said before the start of Thursday’s first on-field workouts. “I didn’t want to get too old, you know, ruin the process of it. So just testing the waters, getting out there and taking that leap of faith is one of the biggest things I have to do.”

Evaluating older draft prospects adds a surprisingly new twist to a sport that usually values youth and potential over finished products. Not so long ago, many teams wouldn’t even consider selecting a 24-year-old rookie because the average career lasts fewer than four seasons.

Now, though, things appear to be changing — perhaps long term.

Thanks to the NCAA’s increasing tolerance to grant additional redshirt years for medical reasons, the extra year of eligibility for the 2020 COVID-19 season and NIL deals potentially keeping late-round prospects in school, the number of older players at this year’s combine has expanded.

The list includes two 25-year-old quarterbacks — Hendon Hooker of Tennessee and Stetson Bennett IV of Georgia — and Aidan O’Connell of Purdue , who will turn 25 before the end of next season.

How do they compare to two of the sport’s biggest stars?

Eagles quarterback Jalen

Hurts won’t turn 25 until August and by the time Patrick Mahomes was 25, he’d already played in two Super Bowls, won one and earned the first of two league MVP Awards.

NFL teams clearly have seen how rules designed to protect quarterbacks also created longer careers with some Hall of Fame-caliber guys still succeeding long after age 35. And the evolving science of health and fitness has helped many remain young at heart — and on the field.

“I think athletes are taking better care of themselves,” said Jeff Foster, president of the National Invitation Camp that oversees the combine. “When you see Tom Brady and other players succeeding at their age, I think they (teams) see that, so I think we will see older guys here.”

The trend doesn’t start or stop at the game’s most important position, though.

Running backs Travis Dye of Southern California and Eric Gray of Oklahoma turn 24 before the end of next season.