KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan football will send offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor, cornerback/kickoff return specialist Darius Phillips, running back Jarvion Franklin and tight end Donnie Ernsberger to the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
 
Western Michigan had four of the nine invitees from the Mid-American Conference. The four selections also were the most by any school in the state of Michigan.
 
It marks the fourth straight season the Broncos have been represented in the NFL Combine. 
 
This year's Scouting Combine will be held Feb. 27-March 5th and will be televised on the NFL Network.
 
Okorafor is a four-year letterwinner on WMU's offensive line and has been a starter for the last three. As a senior this season he picked up six All-American honors, including a First Team nod from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Phil Steele. He was one of six national semifinalists for Outland Trophy and named a top tackle to watch headed into the season by Mel Kiper.
 
Okorafor helped WMU maintain a top-30 rushing attack in each of the last three seasons. This year the Broncos ranked 21st in the nation, averaging 224.8 yards per game. Okorafor is expected to be one of the Broncos' top draft picks.
 
Phillips has made a name for himself as an explosive returner and a ball hawk on defense. He is a two-time MAC Special Teams Player of the Year (2016 & 2017) and has earned All-MAC defensive team honors each of his three seasons after converting from a wide receiver to a defensive back prior to his sophomore year.
 
Phillips has scored 14 career touchdowns five different ways (5 KR, 1 PR, 5 INT, 1 FR, 2 receiving). Four of his five kickoff returns went for 100 yards, two of which were against top 5-ranked teams and two coming in back-to-back weeks to open his senior season (at USC, at Michigan State). He set an FBS career record with 12 career runbacks and tied the FBS record with five career pick sixes. His 3,145 career kickoff return yards ranks sixth in FBS history.
 
Franklin is WMU's all-time leading rusher with 4,867 career yards, which ranks fifth all-time in MAC history and 33rd in FBS history. He has totaled a school-record 56 career touchdowns (52 rushing, 4 receiving). His 52 rushing touchdowns (WMU record) ties for fourth most all-time in the MAC, and 28th in FBS history. His 5,537 career all-purpose yards and 336 career points both rank second most in school history.
 
Franklin has a career average of 93.6 yards rushing per game over 52 games played and 942 attempts. In 2014 he became the first player in MAC history to win both MAC Rookie of the Year and MAC Offensive Player of the Year in the same season. Franklin is a three-time All-MAC recognition, twice landing on the first team and once on the second team.
 
Ernsberger emerged the last two seasons as a hard-nosed blocking and receiving tight end. This season he started all 12 games and led WMU with 931 total plays (800 offensive, 131 special teams). He was named Second Team All-MAC and was invited to and played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
 
Over his senior season, Ernsberger caught four touchdowns and totaled 394 yards on 34 receptions. He showcased his ability to break tackles and run after a catch, most notably in an overtime win at Eastern Michigan in which he had six catches for 91 yards with a 30-yard reception. In Western Michigan's seven-overtime win at Buffalo he hauled in four passes for 54 yards and two TDs. Ernsberger has also played a huge part in WMU's success in the running game as a key blocker the last three seasons.