Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon Not Invited To NFL Combine

Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports that the NFL teams received the final combine invite list and Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon was not invited to participate in the event.

Pelissero spoke to team officials who aren’t thrilled with the new policy from the NFL that allows them to ban players violent backgrounds from participating in the event. According to Pelissero, this likely means there will be more team visits for Mixon, as the character issues are big part of combine.

Pelissero adds that Baylor WR Ishmael Zamora also wasn’t invited to the Scouting Combine.

There has been a lot of talk that even though Mixon is considered to be a top-tier talent, it’s possible he may not get drafted at all.

Mixon previously claimed that he received a first-round grade from the NFL’s college advisory committee, which helped him make the decision to turn pro.

However, Pelissero, citing three people with knowledge of the committee’s list, recently reported that Mixon never even submitted for a grade from the panel.

Mixon’s agent, Peter Schaffer, confirmed as much but added that Mixon was basing his comments on what he was told from other agents.

“I’ve since been able to confirm that with a number of teams — that from a talent evaluation perspective, he has a first-round grade,” Schaffer said. “Some teams have him as the top running back, second running back, third running back on their board.

“Whether when he was asked the question he understood or distinguished between what it means by the committee … I believe that he was 100% telling the truth, because I’ve confirmed it with multiple teams.”

After declaring for the NFL, Mixon told Jake Trotter that he got a first-round grade from the NFL advisory committee.

Sources tell Pelissero that Mixon “isn’t regarded as a bad kid overall.” Although, he’s spoken to two NFL executives who said that Mixon won’t be on their draft boards in light or what has transpired with other players and cases involving violence against women such as Ray Rice and Josh Brown.

In fact, Pelissero says that some around the NFL believe Mixon may not get drafted all, even though he’s considered to be a first-round talent.

It’s worth mentioning that Mixon has completed all his court-mandated requirements and is continuing to attend anger management classes, according to his agent.

In case you haven’t seen the video of the incident, The Oklahoman has it posted on their website.

Mixon punched an Oklahoma student, Amelia Molitor, in the face back in 2014 and was suspended from the football team for a season. However, the school allowed him to return after sitting out that season.

Molitor suffered fractured bones in her face from the incident and is currently suing Mixon in Oklahoma City federal court. Mixon just offered an apology to Molitor, his teammates and fans a few months ago.

During his college career at Oklahoma, Mixon has rushed for 2,027 yards on 301 carries (6.7 YPC) to go along with 65 receptions for 894 yards receiving and 26 total touchdowns over the courses of 25 games. Mixon has also contributed 504 kick return yards and a touchdown.

We’ll have more regarding Mixon as the news is available.