The NFL has rescinded Louisiana Tech DE Jaylon Ferguson's invitation to the combine after a background check turned up an old battery conviction.
Ferguson was convicted of simple battery his freshman year after a fight at McDonald's resulted in a deferred judgment and a $189 fine, according to his agent, Safarrah Lawson.
"We disagree with the NFL's position with regards to Jaylon Ferguson," said Lawson via statement. "Jaylon is a great person who made a mistake 4 years ago before he started playing college football. He was involved in a scuffle that resulted in him being charged with misdemeanor simple battery. He received a deferred judgment and $189.00 fine, a proper punishment for a fight between two teenagers. Since that day Jaylon has been a fine and upstanding student athlete that personifies the things we are trying to teach our young people today. The past four years at Louisiana Tech Jaylon has been a team leader who has led on and off the field clearly learning from the lessons of his past."
In 2016, the NFL put into effect a rule that states that prospective players who have been convicted on domestic violence, sexual assault or weapons charges are not allowed to attend the NFL scouting combine or draft. If a background check turns up either a felony or misdemeanor conviction, or if a player refuses to submit to a background check, he will not be permitted to attend any "league-related event." Despite the ban on events, players with prior convictions are still eligible to be drafted.
Ferguson is the NCAA's all-time sack leader. He is ranked the No. 5 defensive end in this year's draft by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.