For the majority of sports, the transition from the amateur to the professional ranks happens completely devoid of fanfare. Yet, there are exceptions to every rule. To see this one need look no further than the juggernaut of American professional sports – the National Football League. Not far removed from one of the most historic finishes in Super Bowl history, the NFL will once again look for new recruits to add to an already impressive fraternity of football talent.
However, over recent years a strange phenomenon has arisen in connection with draft picks. The question of character. Don’t believe us? Look no further than the likes of Manti T’eo whose dead girlfriend hoax surely dropped him to the second round. Or Michael Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted, a commendable action, however, him subsequently being cut raises questions. Add to this recent off-field antics of its players bringing unwanted scrutiny to the league and its commissioner, you can bet teams and the NFL will deploy more financial resources than ever to investigate the character of every future draftee – especially for first round picks – to uncover any potential red flags before investing millions and compromising the future of their franchises. Fair or not, these young men can expect to go through an intense process of historical scrutiny that is rivaled only by those seeking to take up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in 2016. While you will not see any unique predictions from ‘LLERO, we think it important to factor in “character” when looking at the five top collegiate players whose lives will radically change come April 30th.
Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Projected Pick: 1
In 2013 Winston become the youngest player ever to win the Heisman Trophy. Add to that a BCS National Championship and he has the foundation of pro-ready QB. Yet, despite cementing himself as a top pick with his spectacular showing at the combines, sexual assault investigations, shoplifting and public displays of vulgar language have resulted in university suspensions and performing hours of community service. While the latter is always good, it’s even better when done voluntarily. You can bet GM’s will carefully evaluate if they can trust this talented young man to make better off-field decisions, including the company he keeps, when he becomes a millionaire.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Projected Pick: 2
Mariota has one hell of football CV, with accomplishments such as being the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner, Rose Bowl MVP and AP Player of the Year he’s sure to get the attention of future employers. But does he interview well? From what we can see the answer is a resounding yes. Despite the constant spotlight that follows his gridiron exploits, Mariota carries himself with great poise and has proven to handle the local and national media with impeccable consistency. In his three years at Oregon, Mariota has built a reputation as a disciplined student who takes his craft seriously and displays a maturity that gives GMs solid comfort in handing him the franchise keys.
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Projected Pick: 3
Raised by a single mother in the impoverished section of Coconut Grove, FL, Cooper often tells how he learned the meaning of hard work watching her hold multiple jobs to feed him and his four siblings. Taught from a young age to be humble and quiet, two traits that typify his personality, Cooper has used the difficult circumstances of his childhood and his mother’s example to fuel his quest to become the nation’s top receiver. If you don’t think the character is an indicator, just let the 2014 Fred Biletnikoff Award, Unanimous All-American and 2013 BCS National Champion hardware do the talking. However, its an attitude of perseverance Cooper intends to carry into the professional ranks which should reassure any team or GM they are unlikely to go wrong with his selection.
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Projected Pick: 6
A 2014 Unanimous All-American and Outland Trophy winner. Scherff is considered the best offensive lineman in the draft; teammates and coaches praise Scherff as an incredibly hard worker with a humble demeanor and tough interior. A four-year member of the Hawkeyes’ Leadership Group, Scherr’s maturation as a player and commitment to elevate his game have raised his stock as an NFL prospect each year since red-shirting as a freshman and foregoing the NFL in 2014 by opting to return for his senior campaign.
Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Projected Pick: 9
An electrifying player with blazing speed, size and agility, Gurley, a world-class sprinter and three-sport high school standout (football, track/field, basketball) served a four-game suspension in 2014 for accepting $3,000 in improper monetary benefits for signed memorabilia, a violation of NCAA rules. Beyond this offense, which he promptly admitted to committing, there are no other reported incidents of misconduct for what many regard as the most versatile offensive weapon in this draft class. Having paid for this lone transgression by returning all funds and performing 40 hours of community service, interested teams will undoubtedly perform their due diligence to ensure this is an isolated incident and not indicative of a troubling pattern. But in doing so they will also find his 2014 Heisman Trophy candidacy, 2012 Second-team All-SEC and Freshman All-American accolades. Maybe those will quell any concerns.
The inexact science that is the NFL Draft inherently brings a measure of risk in every selection for all seven rounds. While every draftee possesses the essential physical attributes to play at the next level, it’s becoming increasingly clear that quality of character no longer takes a backseat when decisions are made in the war room.