The five-best quarterbacks invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. As of now, according to CBS' draft prospect rankings, Winston has the edge over Mariota.
Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson warms up before the first quarter of an NCAA football game in Fort Collins, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty (14) celebrates a touchdown pass during the second half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game Michigan State, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
UCLA's Brett Hundley (17) rushes for a touchdown against Kansas State during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws a pass during the NCAA college football playoff national championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State won 42-20. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (5) throws a pass while facing Oregon in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 in Pasadena, Calif. Oregon defeated Florida State 59-20 to advance to the first ever NCAA football playoff championship game. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
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Every college player's road to the NFL is different. Some enter the draft as relative unknowns and burst on the scene while others have been on scout's radars since they took the field as college freshmen.
For Miami tight end Clive Walford, his path to the draft has already been somewhat paved. Walford was a standout basketball player in high school and didn't play football until his senior year, drawing the comparison to the Saints' All-Pro tight end, Jimmy Graham. Graham is also a former Miami player that made a late transition to football from basketball.
Auburn's Nick Marshall is in a different situation. A quarterback in college, Marshall will be making the uncommon transition to defensive back. Marshall made the switch to the secondary for the Senior Bowl last month and although he's offically been grouped with the quarterbacks at the combine, he plans on showcasing his coverage skills.
"I wasn't even familiar with that. This is my first time hearing that," Marshall told NFL.com on Feb. 6 in reference to being grouped with the quarterbacks. "But I'm planning on doing defensive back drills at the combine."
Below are highlights from NFL.com's "Path to the Draft" series, highlighting Walford, Marshall and four other college stars:
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TE Clive Walford, Miami
DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
QB Nick Marshall, Auburn
LB Eric Kendricks, UCLA
T La'el Collins, LSU
QB Brett Hundley, UCLA
