INDIANAPOLIS The drills at the NFL scouting combine don't include full pads or helmets.

Too bad, because a rivalry is brewing between two of the top defensive tackles.

Devon Still threw down the gauntlet Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium when the All-American from Penn State said he was "hands down" the top defensive tackle in the draft.

Less than an hour later, LSU's Michael Brockers climbed the riser and stood behind the same bank of microphones where Still made his claim. Brockers, widely regarded among draft experts as the best defensive tackle available, refused to offer a rebuttal.

"You really can't," Brockers said. "If he said that, he said that. I can't really go back and comment on that statement. We'll see Monday."

Monday is when the defensive linemen will go through their testing, although Brockers said he will not do the 40-yard dash or the 225-pound bench press. He's not injured, but wants to train more before he runs and benches at LSU's pro day next month.

Brockers created a buzz Saturday when he was measured at 6 feet, 5 inches and 322 pounds, with a huge 83 7/8-inch wingspan. Brockers said he is up five pounds since LSU's season ended with a loss to Alabama in the BCS title game.

"Just a couple of pounds. Good, solid pounds," Brockers said. "The good pounds, not the bad pounds."

While Still, Brockers, Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox, Memphis' Dontari Poe and Michigan State's Jerel Worthy jockey for the No. 1 defensive tackle label, it may be a tainted title.

Many analysts view this as a weak defensive tackle class.

"We have our film to prove that we're not a weak defensive (tackle) class and we have this weekend to prove it," Still said. "We have time to prove them wrong."

Both Still and Brockers must prove they can enjoy sustained success. Brockers, who had 54 tackles and two sacks in his only season as a starter, left LSU with two years of eligibility remaining.

Still, 6-5 and 303 pounds, came back from two season-ending injuries to win the Big Ten's Defensive Lineman of the Year Award last season after finishing with 49 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

Still's senior season was overshadowed by the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal that shook the Penn State program and led to the ousting of Joe Paterno, who died in January of lung cancer.

Still fought through the adversity during a season he believes is proof he's the top tackle in the draft.

"I feel there's no doubt I want it more, and I was able to take over a lot of games this season," Still said. "And just the production that I had. Even if I wasn't making tackles and sacks, I was able to disrupt the play."

The Carolina Panthers, who have the ninth pick, could be interested in a defensive tackle in the first round. Brockers, who is scheduled to visit the Panthers in March, believes he would fit nicely in their 4-3 scheme.

As for comparing himself to Still, Brockers will let his play speak for itself.

"I don't know. I haven't really watched his film, so I can't sit up here and say I'm better than him," Brockers said. "I do know what I do good. I play the run. I'm a force in the middle. And I feel like I do a very good job with that."