Even when Jordan Magee was one of the top quarterbacks in the state of Delaware while at Dover High School, he knew that wasn't how he was going to make it to the NFL.

But it didn't take Magee long to figure out that playing QB would help him get there − as a linebacker.

Magee, who went on to a five-year career at Temple, is anxious to prove that at the NFL scouting combine from Feb. 29-March 4 in Indianapolis. Magee is one of 319 NFL draft hopefuls taking part in the testing extravaganza, both on the field and in interviews with NFL coaches and general managers.

Magee will be joined at the combine by fellow Delaware native and Southern Cal running back MarShawn Lloyd.

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It's the first time since 2019 that Delaware has had a representative at the combine. That was when Caravel Academy safety Darnell Savage and University of Delaware safety Nasir Adderley attended.

Savage was drafted in the first round (21st overall) by the Green Bay Packers, and Adderley went in the second round (No. 60 overall) to the Los Angeles Chargers. Adderley retired after the 2022 season while Savage just finished his fifth season as a full-time starter for the Packers.

Both Magee and Lloyd could interest the Eagles at positions they need to address in the NFL draft.

Magee, at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, has good size and speed for a linebacker, which enables him to cover receivers while also helping in run support. Lloyd, at 5-9, 210 pounds, could potentially be a replacement if D'Andre Swift leaves in free agency.

"As a quarterback, I had to understand coverages and weaknesses in the defenses," Magee said. "I had to know what everyone on the defense was doing. So as a defender, I know what the quarterback is thinking and what he's looking for. And I know how to bait him into (making a mistake).

"(Playing quarterback) definitely translates to defense."

Lloyd, who had 820 yards rushing and 232 yards receiving last season for the Trojans after transferring from South Carolina, is projected as a third-round pick by many NFL draft analysts. He was named the running back MVP during the Senior Bowl practices earlier this month.

Lloyd didn't play high school football in Delaware. Instead, he attended DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Maryland. Lloyd's mother, NaShawn, would often drive her son the 90 miles each way to school.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for her," Lloyd said upon signing his letter of intent with South Carolina in 2019. "I truly do appreciate her for all she does. You deserve the world and more, and I can’t wait to give it all to you."

He'll get his chance to start proving that at the combine. The same is true for Magee, who is projected to be taken anywhere from Rounds 4-6.

Defense was always Magee's first love, even when he was the quarterback and Javon Peace was the running back at Dover, leading the Senators to the DIAA Division I semifinals in Magee's senior year in 2018.

But colleges recruited Magee for defense, either as either a linebacker or safety, and that's how Magee preferred it. Magee was a three-year starter at linebacker at Temple and second-team All-AAC last season.

Magee is coming off from a torn biceps suffered in a late November game. He had surgery shortly thereafter but wasn't able to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Magee said he was cleared by doctors a few weeks ago to participate in the combine drills.

The injury gave Magee a head-start on pre-combine training. He has been rehabbing his biceps and working out at X3 Performance and Physical Therapy in Fort Myers since mid-December. Magee said he's also excited to prove that players from Delaware can make it to the NFL.

"I feel like I'm on the stage representing Delaware," he said. "There aren't too many of us."

And Rudy Simonetti was the head coach at Dover when Magee was there, is now a defensive coach at the school. He said Magee will prove that he has both the on-field talent and leadership ability to play in the NFL.

"He's an old-school football player," Simonetti said. "He exemplified what a leader looks like. That's why we wanted him to play quarterback because we needed someone to be the face of the program and lead the guys.

"As a quarterback, he was a Cam Newton-type. He could throw and he wouldn't shy away from contact. And on defense, he would hit you, and you'd feel it."

Magee said he can't wait to get started. After the combine, Magee will have his Pro Day at Temple on March 25, then get ready for the NFL draft from April 25-27.

"This has been a dream of mine since I was a kid," Magee said. "This is a great opportunity to showcase my ability."

No doubt, Lloyd feels the same way.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: From Delaware to NFL combine and draft for MarShawn Lloyd, Jordan Magee