Smelter, Waller receive combine invites

East wide receiver Darren Waller, of Georgia Tech, during practice for the East-West Shrine college football game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) Former Georgia Tech wide receiver Darren Waller will take part in the NFL draft combine later this month in Indianapolis. Waller said that teams have asked him about his interest in playing tight end. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Credit: Ken Sugiura

Credit: Ken Sugiura

East wide receiver Darren Waller, of Georgia Tech, during practice for the East-West Shrine college football game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) Former Georgia Tech wide receiver Darren Waller will take part in the NFL draft combine later this month in Indianapolis. Waller said that teams have asked him about his interest in playing tight end. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Former Georgia Tech wide receivers DeAndre Smelter and Darren Waller have received invitations to participate in the NFL draft combine later this month in Indianapolis.

Smelter and Waller were the only former Tech players among the 323 players to be invited. Former Tech players and draft hopefuls such as guard Shaquille Mason and linebacker Quayshawn Nealy did not receive invites.

Waller made an impression on scouts with a strong finish to his Tech career and a strong showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Smelter was named second-team All-ACC by the conference’s coaches with 35 receptions for 715 yards and seven touchdowns. He won’t be able to participate in the drills, as he is rehabilitating a torn ACL, but can submit to physicals and take part in team interviews, which are also critical parts of the combine process.

Waller said his hope is to run the 40-yard dash in under 4.5 seconds. The combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium Feb. 17-23.

Their invitation is confirmation of their potential as draft candidates and possibilities to extend Tech’s legacy of NFL wide receivers, following upon Calvin Johnson, Demaryius Thomas and Stephen Hill.