Mocking The Draft got a chance to chat with USC left tackle Tyron Smith yesterday at a pre-draft NFL event. Prior to me asking him some questions, Tyron was chatting with me and another reporter about how he didn’t have any clothes that fit him anymore. I asked him if he had a suit for draft night, and he said yes, he did. But all his regular clothes were too small for him since he’d put on added weight since February. After joking that someone was going to bring him some clothes later in the day, we segued right into the Q&A:
Mocking The Draft Interviews USC Left Tackle Tyron Smith
Brad Wells: You’ve shot up on a lot of draft boards these past few months. Do you pay attention to that type of draft hype?
Tyron Smith: You know, all the hype and everything, I just didn’t really pay attention to it. I just focused on the important parts where, you know, meet with the coaches. Things like that. You know, just, moving on with this process to draft day. Basically, I was just chilling with my family, training, and everything like that.
BW: What about the workout process? The Pro Days? Combine? Stuff like that.
TS: Leading up to the Combine, I was working out. I had knee surgery that December. I came in, and competed. And I thought it was at 100%. But, I started doing too much on it to where it started swelling up on me, and I wasn’t ready for the Combine. They preferred for me to stay out [of the Combine], and wait for my Pro Day. So, after the Combine, I was running full speed on the field. I got ready for my Pro Day. Then, my knee got used to my new weight, and it’s 100% right now.
BW: So, your knee is fine right now?
TS: Yeah.
BW: Do you consider yourself the best offensive linemen in this draft?
TS: Yes!
[Everyone laughs, including Tyron]
BW: Modesty! Very nice. What if another offensive linemen is picked ahead of you?
TS: Well, then that’s were I get picked at. I won’t have any complaints about it. Everybody’s going to get picked.
BW: Do you have a good relationship with the other offensive linemen in this draft?
TS: Yeah.
BW: Any defensive linemen you looking forward to block this year?
TS: Any kind of challenge that comes my way, I’ll just take it full speed.
BW: None of them scare you?
TS: Nah. I like the challenge.
[Tyron then answered another question about a player he was looking forward to lining up against, and he answered Clay Matthews, his old teammate at USC. Tyron went on to say he practices against Matthews helped form him as a player. I then asked this follow-up]
BW: Did Clay Matthews help to make you a better player?
TS: Yeah. He got me used to and show respect for the game. Basically, he made practice hard, made the games easier.
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