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2013 NFL Combine results: Denard Robinson, Le'Veon Bell show improvement

Michigan and Michigan State players impressed NFL scouts, for the most part, during the 2013 NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

USA TODAY Sports

Now that the NFL Combine has come to an end, NFL scouts and coaches have a better idea of which players will have successful careers in the NFL and which players are too risky to draft. When it comes to former Michigan and Michigan State players that participated in the Combine, most improved their draft stock.

Arguably, the biggest name to make an appearance at the combine between the two schools was former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson. Robinson won't be playing quarterback in the NFL, though, as he has been working out as a receiver. There were questions whether or not Robinson could play receiver in the NFL as some analysts said he wasn't a natural receiver, but he performed well in Lucas Oil Stadium, showing improvement and improving his draft stock this past weekend. He not showed his speed, but the ability to run routes and catch the ball on a consistent basis.

Michigan State had three players invited to the combine, Le'Veon Bell, William Gholston and Johnny Adams. Two of the three impressed at the combine.

Bell impressed so much that ESPN draft insider Todd McShay is saying he had one of the top-three running back performances in the combine.

"I thought Bell had probably, I would say in the Top 3 in terms of all around workouts," McShay told Michigan State All-Access. "When you combine the fact that he's 230 pounds, 6-foot-1, ran a 4.60 (in the 40-yard dash) officially - some guys I talked to that were in there timing had him in the low to mid 4.5's and I'm not that worried of the 4.60 - that's good. At 230, you check that off."

The 2013 draft class is deep and talented when it comes to running backs and Bell definitely helped his stock heading into Pro Day season.

Former Spartan cornerback Johnny Adams also improved his draft stock, running his 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds and measuring in at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds. Adams was unable to do any other on-field drills because of a turf toe injury he's still recovering from, but he showed his speed, which coupled with his physical style of play, likely increased his draft stock.

The only player that likely hurt his draft stock was former Michigan State defensive tackle William Gholston, who finished in the bottom half in almost every category. He ran the 40 in 4.96 seconds, did 23 reps on the bench press and his vertical jump was 28.5 inches while his broad jump was 110 inches. However, Gholston's overall athleticism and size still makes him an intriguing prospect because he can likely fit in both a 4-3 and a 3-4 defense.

Both Michigan and Michigan State have been factories for NFL players for a long time and all four of these players are likely to get drafted in early rounds come April. There are still Pro Days, though, which will give these four another chance to either improve or hurt their draft stock.

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