Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde is the top-rated player at his position prior to the NFL Scouting Combine according to NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock.
Hyde, a power back with speed, ran for 3,198 yards in four years in Scarlet and Gray and set Ohio State school records for yards per carry in a career (6.1), single season (7.1) and game (10.2 vs. Illinois this season).
He figures to be the highest running back draft pick from Ohio State since Beanie Wells went late in the first round in 2009.
Hyde is one of six Buckeyes invited to the combine, which begins in Indianapolis Saturday, and joins two others in Mayock's pre-combine positional rankings.
Ryan Shazier, who led the Big Ten in tackles and tackles for loss last season, is Mayock's No. 5 linebacker, one spot behind Chris Borland, an Ohio native who played collegiately at Wisconsin.
Bradley Roby, who like Shazier chose to skip his last year of eligibility to enter the draft, is the No. 5 cornerback on Mayock's list.
Hyde, Shazier and Roby are invited to the combine along with receiver Corey "Philly" Brown and offensive linemen Corey Linsley and Jack Mewhort.
Aside from the Buckeyes on Mayock's list, fans of the Browns might be interested to know the NFL analyst ranks Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville No. 1 with Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M second and Blake Bortles of Central Florida third.
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