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Temple’s Stan Drayton thinks Jordan Magee’s combine ‘locked him in’ as a surefire NFL draft pick

In a relatively light linebacker class, Temple's all-conference LB might have paved the way for himself to be the first Owl selected in the NFL draft since 2020.

Coming off an all-conference season, Temple linebacker Jordan Magee readies for NFL draft night. But first, he'll look to impress at Temple's pro day later this month.
Coming off an all-conference season, Temple linebacker Jordan Magee readies for NFL draft night. But first, he'll look to impress at Temple's pro day later this month.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
    by Rymir Vaughn
    Published 

Former Temple linebacker Jordan Magee turned heads at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Magee finished in the top five in several drills for linebackers, including the 40-yard dash (4.55 seconds), broad jump (10 feet, 4 inches), and vertical jump (35.5 inches).

In a relatively light linebacker class, Magee might have paved the way for himself to be the first Owl selected in the NFL draft since 2020.

At least Temple coach Stan Drayton believes so.

» READ MORE: Timber Creek’s Devin Leary, Temple's Jordan Magee among top-performing locals at 2024 NFL combine

“It locked him in,” Drayton said earlier this week. “The atmosphere turned the light on for Jordan. It’s made him elevate his approach.”

Magee’s performance made him a household name in draft circles and even scored him top-30 visits with the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, and Houston Texans. Magee was the only Temple player invited to the combine, but other Owls were invited to various postseason showcases.

The Hula Bowl and Tropical Bowl can help one’s draft stock, but they do not get as much recognition as the combine. For the players unable to get the opportunities that Magee has gotten, Temple’s March 25 pro day is huge.

Temple had nine players participate in its 2023 pro day, and five of those players received at least a minicamp tryout from NFL teams. Wide receiver Jose Barbon was the lone participant to sign as an undrafted free agent, with the Dallas Cowboys.

While it hasn’t been confirmed who’s attending, Drayton knows that the pro day will be good for whoever participates, but it also puts things in perspective for them.

“It’s a reality check,” Drayton said. “Two percent is going to make it out of college football every year. ... Are you going to be a two-percenter?”