I think Ish is quicker than many seem to think. I'd venture pro day measurements close to, and a team drafting him for a role similar to, Delanie Walker
Delanie Walker | WR | Central Missouri - NFL Combine Results
As to no players at the combine... that's a net positive for us because it means Chris Slayton didn't declare early. We won't be shut out next season.
People make mistakes. I don't believe it will matter that Steve was not invited. His PRO DAY will prove he belongs in the NFL an abbreviation for “not for long” IMO. As an example of two very successful receivers let's take another non - invitee to the combine who along with the second example was not a burner, Wes Welker:
College career/ Wes Welker
While attending
Texas Tech University, Welker played for the
Texas Tech Red Raiders. His last-minute signing proved to be very beneficial for the Red Raider football team. Based on a highlight reel from high school, Welker earned the nickname "The Natural", given to him by his recruiter, and then running backs coach at Texas Tech,
Art Briles, before his freshman year for his versatility and big-game performances. Over his four-year career, he had 259 receptions for 3,019 yards and 21
touchdowns and 79 rushes for 456 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored eight touchdowns returning punts in his career, which earns him a second place tie for the
NCAA record, behind
Dante Pettis who has 9.
After his senior season at Texas Tech, Welker was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Professional playing career - Pre-draft
Pre-draft measurables
5 ft 9 in
(1.75 m)
ht 186 lb
(84 kg)
40 4.65 s
All values from Texas Tech Pro Day
The big negative here, despite a great playing career at Texas tech, was that at 5'9” he was obviously too short and a 4.65, WELL, that's much too slow fro a WR to create separation and we at the combine know that as gospel. NOT!
And the next NFL mistake his twin Danny Amendola. We all know about his work with the Patriots:
Professional career Danny Amendola
Pre-draft measureables
5-10 *
185 *
4.58
*At NFL Combine **At Texas Tech Pro Day
Amendola drew numerous comparisons to former Texas Tech receiver
Wes Welker, whose NFL career included stints with the
Miami Dolphins, the
New England Patriots, and the
Denver Broncos,
[16][17] as the two have similar builds (Welker is 5'9", 185
lb, while Amendola is 5'11", 183 lb), and played the same positions at Texas Tech (slot receiver and punt returner).
[18]
Dallas Cowboys[edit]
Amendola signed as an
undrafted free agent with the
Dallas Cowboys on April 27, 2008.
[19] His attempt to make it to the NFL was featured on the
HBO special
Hard Knocks.
[20] Amendola was cut by the Cowboys on August 30 and re-signed to the practice squad after clearing waivers.
[21] [22][23] He spent the entire
2008 regular season on the team's
practice squad, and never saw regular season action.
It's a tough sled making it to the NFL. They are looking for the very best and that is what is supposed to be on display at the combine. But, as I mentioned people are human most of the time and make mistakes. An obvious one is overlooking Steve Ishmael. Both examples above were some how always open – available for the ball to be thrown to them and they made themselves catch it when it got there.
Ishmael has those same attributes. He gets open and creates space with his body between the defender and himself so he has ample room to get the ball thrown to him. There is this perceived “I told you so” attitude he has, a silent one, from him to the receiver after he catches the ball usually down field by the sideline leaping over the defender. He is one tough sob. And like Welker who grew from his very successful high school days, college and NFL – I believe we are going to see the same from Steve. Good Luck man but I don't think you'll need it – it's inside you already. GOSU
PS: This from a National Signing Day article from SB Nation by Sean Keeley Feb.4 2014 about him:
Ishmael caught 71 passes for 1,007 yards and 16 TDs last season."
The 6'2", 180-speedster runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds." A 4.5 is not elite speed like Jawhar Jordan's 4.37 but it should be fine for the NFL esp. if he can lower that at his pro day.
