Sione Fua, Owen Marecic, Richard Sherman and Ryan Whalen secured spots in Indianapolis for the league’s comprehensive week of evaluations of potential draft picks. Receiving a bid is quite significant in the preparation process, as players get a chance to display their skills to scouts, coaches and managers from all 32 NFL teams.

All four players have already participated in postseason all-star games. Fua, Marecic and Sherman played in the Senior Bowl, and all amassed significant playing time. Sherman had an interception that was called back because of a defensive offsides penalty, Fua played defensive tackle in a 4-3 alignment after spending the season as Stanford’s nose tackle in the 3-4, and Marecic, who played both ways in 2010, was used exclusively at fullback and on special teams. All starred for the North team. Whalen took part in the East-West Shrine Game and led the West squad in receiving, pulling down three catches for 24 yards.

The Combine will begin on Feb. 23 and conclude on March 1. The 2011 NFL Draft will take place in New York from April 28-30.