Combine news and notes -- Feb. 21

It's been quite an eventful day so far at the NFL scouting combine, here's a few highlights:

Of course, the biggest news out of Indianapolis today concerns Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree, the consensus choice as the top wideout among this year's draft class. NFL.com reported this morning that the two-time Biletnikoff Award winner has a slight stress fracture in his left foot and will soon undergo surgery that will likely prevent him from working out prior to the draft.

Crabtree's recovery time is initially expected to be at least 10 weeks, which shouldn't hurt his availability for training camp provided all goes well. Whether the talented 21-year-old's draft stock -- he had been considered a lock as a top-five overall pick before the news -- is affected will hinge on his progress from the surgery.

The news comes one day after Crabtree was measured at 6-feet, 1 3/8 inches, shorter than his 6'3" listing in the Texas Tech media guide.

Some other tidbits:

*The Dustin Keller award goes to South Carolina's Jared Cook. The early entrant tight end was officially clocked in a blazing 4.50 seconds in the 40-yard dash while also producing the top vertical jump ('41) and broad jump (10'3") at his position. Cook, a converted wide receiver who's bulked up to 246 pounds, also hoisted an impressive 23 reps of 225 pounds in Friday's bench press and is the hands-down star of today's activities. His performance could land him in the first round and possibly make the ex-Gamecock the first tight end taken.

*Other tight ends who helped their stock on Saturday with strong 40 times were Southern Miss' Shawn Nelson (4.56) and Cal junior Cameron Morrah (4.66). Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew, considered the top tight end prospect entering the combine, was timed in a disappointing 4.85 seconds, although he'll have a chance to redeem himself at the Cowboys' pro day next month.

*Another Gamecock who showed well in this weekend's drills is offensive tackle Jamon Meredith, who bench-pressed 31 reps of 225 lbs. on Friday and had the third-best 40-time (5.04) at his position. With Alabama's Andre Smith's value on a major free-fall, Meredith could find himself among the glut of linemen receiving first-round consideration.

*Cal's Alex Mack, a candidate to be the first center chosen in April, has pulled out of the combine after spraining his ankle while preparing earlier in the week. The injury isn't serious and shouldn't affect Mack's status as a late-first to second-round pick, as he gets high marks from scouts for his intelligence (he won this year's Draddy Award honoring college football's top scholar athlete) and technical skills. He expects to be ready for Cal's pro day on March 18.