NFL Draft: Baylor Football's Ika, Galvin earn NFL Combine Invites
The NFL sent out 319 invitations to this year’s Combine, and two Baylor Bears earned trips to Indianapolis, advancing one step closer to their NFL dreams.
Nose tackle Siaki Ika and offensive lineman Connor Galvin will have the opportunity to participate in the most highly-publicized and broadcasted workout in American sports early next month at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Over two seasons in Waco, Ika played in 25 games with 23 starts, earning All-Big 12 honors both years, and was the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2021. A massive get for Dave Aranda and staff through the transfer portal, his unique skillset, size, and personality played an irreplaceable role in the program’s Big 12 and Sugar Bowl Championship runs.
The Combine should be the Salt Lake City native’s first public action since the regular-season finale loss to Texas. He elected not to play in the Armed Forces Bowl and recently declined to participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
The man affectionately known as ‘Apu’ is a potential late-first to second-round pick based on early industry analysis and speculation.
Connor Galvin spent plenty of time blocking Ika in practice but far more time on the Brazos. Initially a pivotal four-star member of the Bears’ 2018 signing class, he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors the past two seasons and was named the conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2021, along with a third-team AP All-American nod.
The fifth-year senior from Katy made 58 career appearances with a program record of 50 starts, all at left tackle, including 39 straight starts to close his college career.
Galvin competed recently in the East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas and earned All-West Practice Team honors after positive work and impressions made throughout the week. Draft speculation and analysis point towards a likely Day 3 selection, placing him anywhere between rounds 4-7.
The NFL Combine will take place from February 27th to March 6th at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy. Ika and the defensive line group will work out on-field along with linebackers on Thursday, March 2nd. Galvin and the offensive line group will work out along with running backs on Sunday, March 5th.