University of Memphis Athletics
Leary and Poe To Compete at NFL Scouting Combine
Feb 20, 2012 | Football
Feb. 20, 2012
2012 NFL Combine Official Invite List 
By Adam K. Moussa
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis linemen Ronald Leary and Dontari Poe have been invited to and will compete at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, Feb. 22-28.
The annual NFL Scouting Combine allows draft-eligible players the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of executives, coaches and scouts representing all 32 NFL teams. The event is held annually at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium and will be televised by NFL Network.
Combine participants compete in a series of measurable drills and tests including: the 40, 20 and 10-yard dash, broad and vertical jumps, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, 225-pound bench press repetitions and individual position drills. The Wonderlic Test, a 50 question exam which assesses the aptitude of participants, will also be administered.
Dontari Poe, who was tabbed as a 2011 All-Conference USA second team selection and Pro Football Weekly All-America Team honorable mention defensive tackle, started all 12 games on the Tigers' defensive line in 2011. A redshirt-junior, Poe officially declared for the NFL Draft in Dec. 2011, concluding his three-year letterwinning career having made 30 starts for the Tigers.
The Memphis native (Wooddale HS) tallied 33 tackles, including 18 solo stops, and was third on the team in TFL with eight for minus 26 yards in 2011. Poe also posted a sack, three pass breakups, five quarterback hurries and one forced fumble throughout the campaign. He matched his career-high in tackles with eight against Marshall. At the team's post-season banquet, Poe was honored as an MVP and the team's Defensive Player of the Year.
Over 300 participants have been invited to this season's combine, with a record 65 draft-eligible underclassmen, including Poe.
A native of Baton Rouge, La., Ronald Leary played in 44 career games at Memphis and made 36 consecutive starts on the offensive line. Leary worked at left tackle much of his career, starting at that position in all 24 games through 2009 and 2010.
Leary started the first six games of his senior season at left tackle, but was forced inside because of various injuries on the line. He then made the final six career starts at right guard.
The senior saw action on 781 offensive plays in 2011 and ended his career having worked 2,296 offensive plays from 2008-11. He was named to the All-C-USA second team following the 2011 season, and in 2008 was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team.
At the team's 2011 post-season banquet, Leary was recognized as one of the squad's Most Valuable Players and selected as the Offensive Lineman of the Year. In addition, Leary earned leadership awards from the coaching staff at the last two spring games.
Offensive linemen workouts are slated to take place Feb. 22-25, while defensive linemen will be tested Feb. 24-27.
Leary will wear uniform "OL27," while Poe will don "DL41," throughout the combine.
The National Invitational Camp (NIC), now known as the NFL Scouting Combine, began in 1982 and was hosted in Tampa, Fla. More information on the combine can be found at: http://www.nflcombine.net/
The 2012 NFL Draft will take place April 26-28, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
