The Combine begins Sunday.
But what does that mean?
It's the ultimate job interview for NFL hopefuls, and it all goes down in Indianapolis. Players get measured, weighed, and tested physically, mentally and psychologically in a slew of different ways. They're meeting with general managers, coaches, scouts and other key decision-makers from NFL teams, and it's a prime opportunity to improve draft status.
Check out shots of current Texans defensive players from previous NFL Combines. (Photos via AP Images)
Wisconsin defensive end JJ Watt runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Stanford defensive back Justin Reid performs in a drill at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Wisconsin defensive end JJ Watt runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick Mckinney runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Kentucky defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman Charles Omenihu runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick Mckinney runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stanford linebacker Peter Kalambayi runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State defensive back Gareon Conley makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin defensive end JJ Watt runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Stanford defensive back Justin Reid runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn defensive lineman Angelo Blackson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham catches a pass during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UCLA defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stanford defensive back Justin Reid runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick Mckinney runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham competes in the vertical jump at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Clemson defensive lineman D J Reader runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Ohio State University cornerback Bradley Roby runs up the fields the at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Louisiana State defensive lineman Barkevious Mingo runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Rice defensive back Phillip Gaines runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Below are nine key facts to know about the 'The Combine'.
- Officially, it's called the National Invitational Camp. But it's most commonly called the NFL Scouting Combine, or 'The Combine'.
- The first Combine was held in 1982 in Tampa, Florida. Back then, National Football Scouting, Inc. ran it so NFL clubs could have medical information on the top college football prospects that were entering the NFL Draft. 163 players attended that first one.
- In addition to the medical evaluations, players attending the Combine also go through an array of psychological and physical tests, and they have formal and informal interviews with representatives from NFL teams.
- After a couple of stops in New Orleans, as well as Arizona, the Combine settled in Indianapolis in 1987. It's been held there ever since.
- This year, 337 players were invited to attend.
- An anonymous committee, consisting of the directors from a pair of scouting services, along with members from many NFL personnel departments review and vote on the eligible players.
- This year's Combine runs from Sunday, February 23 to Sunday, March 1.
- The Combine takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indianapolis Convention Center, and several adjoining hotels.
- When running the 40-yard dash, you can't wear track spikes. Or metal spikes.
Check out shots of current Texans offensive players from previous NFL Combines. (Photos via AP Images)
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame receiver Will Fuller V runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil runs a drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma receiver Kenny Stills runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Miami running back Duke Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Alabama State offensive lineman Tytus Howard runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is seen in a drill at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Northern Illinois offensive lineman Max Scharping runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State tight end Jordan Thomas runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame receiver Will Fuller runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Nick Martin runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas Tech wide receiver Keke Coutee runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Tennessee offensive lineman Zach Fulton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma receiver Kenny Stills runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Washington offensive lineman Senio Kelemete runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is seen after a drill at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
USC wide receiver Steven Mitchell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Notre Dame receiver Will Fuller runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson warms up during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Notre Dame receiver Will Fuller runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Miami running back Lamar Miller runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron throws during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
