Watch these local ACC players in the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

By Joel Bryant

The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is here. A number of former players from North Carolina colleges were invited to participate in the annual event.

There are four players from North Carolina, three players from Duke, two players from NC State, two players from Wake Forest, and one player from Charlotte set to take on the event.

Prospects go through a schedule that consists of an orientation, team interview, medical exams, media press conferences, body measurements, on-field workouts, and a bench press session.

Here is the full schedule of the event. You can watch practically all of the following on the NFL Network and most of the on-field workouts on ESPN.

Tuesday, February 27

• Media availability (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM): NFL Coaches/GMs

Wednesday, February 28

• Media availability (8:00 AM to 11:00 AM): Defensive Linemen/Linebackers
• Media availability (12:00 PM to 4:00 PM): Coaches/GMs

Thursday, February 29

• Media availability (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM): Defensive Backs/Tight Ends
• On-field workouts (3:00 PM): Defensive Linemen/Linebackers

Friday, March 1

• Media availability (8:00 AM to 11:00 AM): Quarterbacks, Running Backs, and Wide Receivers
• On-field workouts (3:00 PM): Defensive Backs/Tight Ends
• Bench press: Defensive Linemen/Linebackers

Saturday, March 2

• Media availability (8:30 AM to 11:00 AM): Offensive Linemen/Specialists
• On-field workouts (1:00 PM): Quarterbacks, Running Backs, and Wide Receivers
• Bench press: Defensive Backs/Tight Ends

Sunday, March 3

• On-field workouts (1:00 PM): Offensive Linemen/Specialists
• Bench press: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, and Wide Receivers

Monday, March 4

• Bench press: Offensive Linemen/Specialists

Combine participants from N.C. colleges

Here are the former college football players from North Carolina at the event, in order of where they rank in NFL Mock Draft Database's Consensus Big Board.

Drake Maye is considered the No. 2 overall player in this year's class. The former University of North Carolina quarterback is widely viewed as having franchise leader upside. Maye had a big second season as the program’s starter. The Charlotte native completed 269 of 426 passing attempts (63.1%) for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions last season fro the Tar Heels. He also rushed for 449 yards and nine touchdowns on 112 attempts. Maye was Second Team All-ACC. At Myers Park High School, Maye threw for 6,713 yards and 86 touchdowns in just two seasons as the Mustangs' starter. He also scored 693 points in two years on the varsity basketball team.

The second potential first round pick from a North Carolina college is Graham Barton from Duke. His consensus big board ranking is at No. 30 overall. The versatile offensive lineman stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 315 pounds. He played at tackle for Duke, but his body type might point more towards an interior position. NFL teams will have varied opinions on which spot will best suit Barton in the league, but most will agree that he deserves a spot. Duke found the first team All-ACC player in Brentwood, Tennessee.

NC State's 6-foot-4 linebacker Payton Wilson was an instant legend for Wolfpack fans. He originally committed to UNC before flipping to NCSU. He became the program's best defensive player despite facing injury problems early. Wilson is ranked as the No. 54 overall prospect in the draft class. The Orange High School alum wrapped up his prolific career by finishing as a First Team All-ACC selection. Wilson recorded 138 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, three interceptions, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He was PPF’s No. 5 linebacker in the country, finishing with a grade of 88.9.

In his short time playing for UNC, wide receiver Devontez Walker showed a lot to NFL teams. Walker managed to track in 35 receptions for 656 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games after the NCAA granted him eligibility. The West Charlotte High School graduate is ranked at the No. 56 overall prospect and is considered one of the best vertical threats in this year's class. Prior to UNC, Walker had 63 receptions for 1,045 yards and 12 touchdowns in two years at Kent State.

Former Wake Forest player Caelen Carson is ranked as the No. 84 overall prospect on the consensus big board. The cornerback, a Maryland native, started every game for the Demon Deacons. He made 42 total tackles and led the team with eight pass breakups. He received a PFF grade of 73.7 in 2023.

North Carolina is home to another one of this draft's top linebacker prospects. At No. 88 overall, former Ardrey Kell High School standout Cedric Gray looks like he will be a day two pick. Gray had an awesome career for UNC. In 2023, he was named First Team All-ACC after racking up 121 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, five sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Gray recently stood out at the Reese's Senior Bowl. A good week at the combine could result in Gray rising even further up draft boards.

Duke defensive tackle DeWayne Carter was also invited. The Ohio native stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 308 pounds. He is the No. 114 overall prospect right now. Carter made First Team All-ACC in 2023. The Blue Devil finished his career with 86 tackles, 21.5 TFL, 11.0 sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 11 QB pressures and seven PBUs.

Weddington High School alum Malik Mustapha might turn some heads this weak as a very athletic safety prospect. Mustapha was named Second Team All-ACC as a safety for Wake Forest in 2023. He was a team captain. The safety finished the season with 67 total tackles, five tackles for a loss, a half sack, one interception, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble. He is ranked as the No. 171 overall prospect. In two years on Weddington's varsity team, Mustapha recorded 132 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, one sack, and eight interceptions.

A Dudley High School alum has NFL teams intrigued. Former UNC defensive tackle Myles Murphy received an invite to the combine despite not putting up crazy numbers with the Tar Heels. He appears to have the physical tools within his 6-foot-4, 312-pound frame that NFL coaches want to work with. In the fall, the former 4-star started all 13 games for the Tar Heels last fall and was named Honorable Mention All-ACC after compiling 24 total tackles, one sack, 4.5 tackles for a loss, and a fumble recovery. Murphy is ranked as the No. 222 overall prospect in NFL Mock Draft Database's Consensus Big Board.

Bonus: If any Wake Forest fans want to count Sam Hartman, here you go. Hartman, from the Charlotte area, started at quarterback on Davidson Day's varsity team in 2015 and 2016. In those two years, he throw for 6,388 yards and 69 touchdowns before finishing his high school years at Oceanside Collegiate Academy in South Carolina. Hartman started at Wake Forest for five seasons and transferred to the University of Notre Dame last year. He threw for 15,656 yards over his six years in college. He is ranked as the No. 223 overall prospect.

NC State interior offensive lineman Dylan McMahon is in Indy this week after a long, productive career as a starter for the Wolfpack. The All-ACC Honorable Mention selection allowed just one sack at center last season after starting his career out at right guard. He received an overall PFF grade of 66.2.

The Charlotte 49ers are sending Eyabi Okie-Anoma to the 2024 NFL Combine. The 6-foot-4 edge rusher is a Maryland native. He was named Second Team All-American Athletic Conference in 2023 after compiling 56 tackles and a team leading 11.5 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks. Okie-Anoma is ranked at No. 270 overall on the consensus big board.

Considering that only 321 players received an invite to this year's NFL Combine, Corinth Holders High School graduate Jacob Monk's ranking as the No. 365 overall prospect on the consensus big board is probably underselling him. While playing at Duke, the interior offensive lineman was a two-year captain and was named First Team All-ACC as a guard in 2023.