Feb. 18, 2009

DALLAS (SMU) - SMU punter/kicker Thomas Morstead is among the players invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine this week in Indianapolis, Ind. The Scouting Combine is the "job fair" for prospective new NFL players. For six days at Lucas Oil Stadium, players are put through a series of drills, tests and interviews with more than 600 NFL personnel including head coaches, general managers and scouts. This intense "job interview" is an exciting time for the athletes and a vital step in achieving their dreams of playing in the NFL.

Morstead leaves SMU as one of the best punters to ever put on a Mustang uniform. He was a 2008 preseason All-Conference USA pick after leading the league and ranking eighth in the nation in punting average at 44.6 ypp in 2007. His 2008 average of 41.5 ypp ranked 30th in the nation. He downed 20 punts inside the 20 with only three touchbacks, and helped SMU rank 21st in net punting. Earlier this year, Morstead was the starting punter for the South Team in the 2009 Senior Bowl. Morstead punted seven times for 303 yards (43.3 avg.) with a long of 58 yards and two punts inside the 20 in the game.

The 2009 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25-26 in New York, N.Y.