![Minnesota's quarterback Mitch Leidner took to the field to warm up before Minnesota took on Nebraska at Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium, Saturday, November 12, 2016 in Lincoln, Nebraska. ] (ELIZABETH FLORES/STAR TRIBUNE) ELIZABETH FLORES • eflores@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/I2UUDGB7DTVYPDV2EDHD3DSTJM.jpg?&w=1080)
Mitch Leidner has been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, the former Gophers quarterback confirmed Thursday.
The 6-4, 230-pound Leidner, who went 24-17 as Minnesota's starting QB over the past three-plus seasons, will have a chance to boost his stock in the annual showcase in Indianapolis, which runs Feb. 28 through March 6.
ESPN analyst Todd McShay listed Leidner as a first-round pick — No. 25 overall — last May in his "Way-too-early 2017 NFL Mock Draft."
But after having his best statistical season as a junior (59.5 completion percentage, 20 combined touchdowns, 11 interceptions), Leidner completed 56.4 percent of his passes as a senior, with 18 combined touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Still, the Gophers went 8-4 in Leidner's starts, including their Holiday Bowl victory over Washington State.
Leidner played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl last month in Carson, Calif., and completed three of 12 passes for 38 yards. In early January, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller ranked Leidner as the 15th best QB prospect for this year's draft.
