The 2018 combine roster has been officially announced, and as always some notable prospects have been left out in the cold. Here’s a look at this year’s biggest snubs.

Kyle Allen QB Houston

Allen was a hot shot, five-star recruit out of high school, but failed to lock down starting gigs at Texas A&M and Houston. Having already graduated, and with his college career in limbo, Allen left a year of eligibility on the table and declared for the draft. My hunch is that the young man just wants to start earning a paycheck one way or another, and that he wasn’t really expecting an invitation to Indy, but it’s fairly unusual for early-entry QB prospects to be left out.

Brandon Silvers QB Troy

Silvers was a four year starter and a Senior Bowl attendee, so I was surprised he didn’t make the cut.

Poona Ford DL Texas

I believe Ford is a victim of his measurables, and that there weren’t enough NFL personnel people interested in a sub-6’ tall defensive lineman to support an invite. I still think Ford will be drafted in the mid-late Day Three area.

Cody O’Connell OL Washington State

Perhaps O’Connell is the bizarro Ford, too big and lumbering to garner enough interest for an invite. The 6’9” 365 pound lineman doesn’t move well enough to project as a tackle, and he’s taller than NFL scouts would like at guard.

Joe Ostman DE Central Michigan

Ostman led the FBS in sacks in 2017, but his high-motor style and “tweener” build make him a harder sell than his production would suggest. Ostman has linebacker size, without the desired athleticism, and is probably viewed as a role player and special teamer at the next level.

Daurice Fountain WR Northern Iowa

Despite starring throughout the East-West Shrine Game week, Fountain will have to wait for his pro day to further impress NFL decision makers. At 6’2” 210 pounds, Fountain is rumored to run in the 4.4-second range, with freakish leaping ability. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out if those projections are legit.

Ito Smith RB Southern Miss

Smith’s omission may be the biggest snub of all. He checked in at 5’9” 201 at the Senior Bowl, so he’s small, but solidly built. He’s also been wildly productive, notching three straight seasons with over 1100 rushing yards, at least 40 catches, and 13-or-more touchdowns. I’ve never been as high on Smith as other draftniks (I’ve seen him compared to LeSean McCoy!), but I can’t imagine why he was left out of the combine.