2013 NFL Scouting Combine: Tyrann Mathieu, Manti Te’o and the most anticipated media sessions

The NFL Scouting Combine has grown out of control.

First started in the early 1980s as a means of centralizing the testing process for teams and prospects, the league’s annual combine is now a televised event covered by hundreds of media members.

That’s fun for the casual observer, but players are put under the microscope like never before. While we don’t get access to the interviews between the teams and the players, the media access is the next best thing.

Let’s take a look at which players will have the most interesting media sessions this weekend in Indianapolis.

Has there ever been a player people want to hear from at the combine as much as they want to hear from Manti Te’o? The story has died down a bit in the month since it broke, but Te’o hasn’t been grilled by the media frenzy that will crowd around him at the combine. SB Nation will be well represented, so we’ll be sure to fill you in on the latest.

Early on in his 2012 season, Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson uttered words that he would later regret. In the week leading up to Missouri’s game against Georgia, Richardson described the Bulldogs’ style of play as “old man football.” The Tigers were dismantled at home, and Richardson was not made available to the media for a while after his comments.

We know Richardson isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind, and that will come in handy for the media in attendance at the combine. He should, at the very least, be an entertaining player to interview.

Plenty of draftniks have said that Tyler Bray may be the most talented quarterback available in the 2013 NFL Draft. But all of them seem to follow it up with questions over his character. Bray has gotten into trouble off the field and some wonder if he is mature enough to succeed in the NFL. The Tennessee quarterback can bet on receiving his fair share of media attention in Indianapolis.

Tyrann Mathieu has been through quite a bit in the last 12 months. His dismissal from the LSU football team after a Heisman-worthy 2011 season has led him to Indianapolis for the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine. His off the field issues will be a topic of discussion throughout the weekend with NFL personel and media members alike. I’m sure Mathieu is a bit more concerned about those NFL teams, though.

So far, all of the players on this list are drawing interest because of perceived negatives surrounding them. How about a feel good story? For those that don’t know, Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd has a Blind Side-esque background, having come from a rough family and financial background only to be helped out by Kevin Lahn, a wealthy Philadelphia business man. Players who come from those types of situations are always fascinating to hear from.

Oregon linebacker Dion Jordan is another player with a story to tell. Jordan has already appeared on NFL Network and displayed his charismatic personality. But what some may not know is that Jordan endured the trauma of severe burns. Few players have a story like that one to bring to the table.

Which players are you looking forward to hearing from this weekend? Speak now or forever hold your peace.