“Every quarterback can throw a ball; every running back can run; every receiver is fast; but that mental toughness that you talk about translates into competitiveness.” Tom Brady

While playing three to four years of college football gives scouts an idea of how players will transfer over to the NFL, the combine is a true indicator of when a player will be drafted.

Of course intangibles help as well such as football mental game, mental toughness and mental game preparation, sheer athletic ability is what teams look for on combine day.

Headed into the combine, players know that they have one day to prove their worth on draft day, to prove their worth headed into the next NFL season.

It is definitely a high-pressure environment and a bad day could kill a player’s football confidence as well as their chances of being drafted.

Football mental toughness is key headed into the combine, as players must be mentally and physically prepared for the combine.

While most of the combine is physical work, one event is all mental— the Wonderlic.

Teams look at the Wonderlic to try and see who has the best mental game and who are the best problem solvers.

Psychology in football is important and year by year, the event has become more important.

Teams will not completely shy away from a player with a below average score, but when an offensive lineman or quarterback struggles to get the same grade as a security guard, then there is a problem.

Preparing for the combine can be both a mentally and physically exhausting task.

It will be a long day for the players, so they must show mental toughness in waiting and being given limited opportunities to perform tasks that will affect how much money they will make over the next few years.

Since football season is over and they are no longer on a team, they train vigorously headed into the combine, but must be well-rested on the big day physically and mentally.

Anyone invited to the combine must have plenty of football confidence and likely believes that they are talented enough to play at the next level.

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