National Football League

Sources: Hosley, Burfict failed drug tests

Published Apr. 25, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

A top-tier cornerback and a linebacker whose draft stock has plummeted are among the prospects who tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

Multiple sources told FOXSports.com that Virginia Tech cornerback Jayron Hosley and Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict failed their drug tests. NFL teams were informed of the positive results earlier this week.

Hosley had an NCAA-high nine interceptions in 2010 but suffered a hamstring injury and concussion that marred his junior season. Hosley, who decided to turn pro anyway, was projected as a second- or third-round pick before the positive test.

Multiple sources told FOXSports.com that Hosley wrote a letter to NFL teams apologizing for the failed test.

A representative from Impact Sports Management, which represents Hosley, had no comment.

Burfict was considered a potential first-round pick entering the 2011 season. There is now a legitimate possibility he won’t be drafted this weekend.

Burfict's tackles dropped from 90 to 69 last season at Arizona State, and he struggled with weight issues. Burfict further added to his reputation as being undisciplined by finishing his college career with 16 personal fouls.

Burfict’s woes continued at the combine as he underwhelmed in on-field drills and meetings with club executives. No NFL teams are believed to have brought Burfict to their facilities for subsequent pre-draft interviews.

Burfict’s agent Chuck Price said neither he nor his client had received notification of a failed drug test. Price, though, told FOXSports.com that Burfict was determined to better himself after a rough combine experience. Burfict has lost 13 pounds since weighing in at 248 and is working out twice daily in preparation for his NFL career.

“When he left the combine, it became his challenge and mission to change everything about who he was and what he had done up to that point,” Price said Wednesday morning. “I’m 100 percent convinced that his work ethic and how he has led his life is something that any team would appreciate and expect out of an NFL player.”

When it comes to pre-draft player evaluation, there is a sliding scale for how every NFL team perceives failed drug tests. Some might consider a positive test as a minor red flag; others may drop a player down their draft board or remove them entirely from it.

However, the combine drug test carries more weight than those administered by college programs. Those who fail at the combine do so despite knowing they will be tested at the event.

The NFL Network reported last week that Ohio State tackle Mike Adams tested positive at the combine for marijuana. Adams is widely projected as a second-round pick.