Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Brandon Doughty (12) celebrates a touchdown pass during WKU's 45-35 win over USF in the Miami Beach Bowl on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, at Marlins Park in Miami. (Austin Anthony / photo@bgdailynews.com)

Former Western Kentucky quarterback Brandon Doughty will participate in next month’s NFL Scouting Combine, a source told the Daily News on Tuesday.

Doughty received an invite to the prestigious event, which takes place February 23-29 in Indianapolis.

WKU didn’t have any participants at last year’s combine. Antonio Andrews, Jonathan Dowling and Andrew Jackson competed in 2014.

Doughty has returned to his native Miami and is working out with NFL combine trainer Pete Bommarito and Ken Mastrole, his private QB coach, according to a source.

Doughty hasn’t announced the hiring of his representation yet but is expected to choose a high-profile agent.

Mastrole told the Daily News in November that Doughty’s height (6-foot-3), weight (220 pounds) and high release point will all serve him well at the NFL level. He said Doughty will have to prove he can thrive outside of the spread attack, but he thinks he’ll excel when he has to go back under center to work out for teams and show he can handle a three-, five- and seven-step drop.

But beyond the physical characteristics, Mastrole said Doughty’s mental toughness will take him places.

“I think you see that a lot now with college quarterbacks,” Mastrole said. “These guys are starting off with hot starts, and then they have a stretch of one or two games, and they fall apart. Next thing you know, they’re second- and third-string on the depth chart. They’re highly touted, blue-chip, five-star guys coming out of high school, but I think Brandon’s been able to stay steady and focused. If you look at the great quarterbacks in college, the system can only take you so far. It’s your week-in and week-out mental preparation and the ability to compartmentalize.”

CBS Sports ranks Doughty No. 11 among quarterbacks in the 2016 draft class in its latest rankings released Monday. The outlet projects Doughty in the sixth round.

In November, ESPN projected a fourth-round selection for Doughty.

His biggest supporter is WKU coach Jeff Brohm, who’s frequently praised the quarterback’s steadiness.

“What you’re going to get from him as opposed to some other quarterbacks out there is consistency,” Brohm said. “I think he’s the guy who can throw all the routes. He’s extremely accurate, he makes good decisions, he plays tough, he’s a hard worker, he’s a great team player, he’s a great person to have on the team, he’s a leader. All the traits you’re looking for, he has them.”

— Zach Greenwell