Report: Saints to bring in Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence for a visit
By John Hendrix
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Eastern Kentucky defensive lineman Noah Spence speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
Per The Advocate's Nick Underhill, the New Orleans Saints will be bringing Eastern Kentucky defensive end prospect Noah Spence in for a visit.
According to reports, Spence had lunch with the Saints at the Senior Bowl, but the team did not talk with him at the Combine.
When you first think about Noah Spence, you'd probably associate him with a troubled past. Spence was kicked out of school by Ohio State and banned from the Big Ten for repeatedly failing drug tests for substances that were far more complex than marijuana. However, Eastern Kentucky took a chance on him in 2015, and he stayed clean and shined for the Colonels. He finished with 11.5 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss (63 total), 15 quarterback hurries, and three forced fumbles (two recovered).
Spence, who is a top prospect in this year's draft, has a heck of motor that is only complimented by his competitiveness. He has tremendous athleticism, explosiveness off the snap, and can play as either a defensive end or outside linebacker. At 6-foot-2, 254-pounds, Spence was a top performer in the Broad Jump at the NFL Combine. He ran a 4.80 second 40-yard dash, and benched 25 reps. Overall, Spence didn't have nearly the type of showing at the Combine that many thought he should have.
Holding visits with potential prospects can be looked at in many ways, but the important thing to remember is that it doesn't necessarily mean the Saints would draft him. The team has worked hard to put the players in place with the right character, so it says a lot that Spence would receive an invitation. Spence has had an incredible personal turnaround, which has teams intrigued. A closer look never hurts anyone.
Spence is very likely going to have his name called on night one of the NFL Draft.