Hundreds of reporters will be circling the waters in Indianapolis later this week waiting for the names to be announced over the loud speaker. Michael Sam, defensive end, Missouri. Johnny Manziel, quarterback, Texas A&M. Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end, South Carolina.
2014 NFL Scouting Combine: Who will be the most compelling interview?
With more than 300 players converging on Indianapolis, some of them are bound to be interesting.
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For various reasons, each will make for a compelling interview at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine. Sam is attempting to become the first openly gay player in NFL history. Manziel has been a lightning rod for criticism for his off-field antics but has also developed a reputation as an interesting player to talk to. Clowney, like Manziel, is often criticized and everything he says gets put under the microscope.
Those three will be the main attractions. Reporters will stand shoulder to shoulder, reaching their recorders closer to the microphone in an effort to get every possible word. Like Manti Te'o last year and Cam Newton and Tim Tebow before that, these three will create a circus.
But there will be more than 300 players in Indianapolis, each with a unique story tell. Some will be funny and others will have legitimate questions to answer about their past. With that many players in one room, some of them are bound to be interesting, right?
Louis Nix III, Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame
Let’s start with a player who should be good for a few laughs this weekend. If you don’t follow Notre Dame defensive tackle Louis Nix on Twitter, you should start. He’s consistently providing unfiltered opinions on the day’s hot topics and isn’t afraid to speak his mind. Plus, after dealing with an injury throughout the season, the NFL Scouting Combine will be a big weekend for him. He has a lot of questions to answer about his health, but hopefully he has enough of a chance to show his personality as well.
De'Anthony Thomas, Running back, Oregon
Oregon running back De’Anthony Thomas is another Twitter star. He tweets in all capital letters, and here’s hoping he’s just as enthusiastic in the interview room. Thomas has quite the back-story from his childhood in California and should have plenty of stories to share. He’ll also be one of the players who could impress the most in the individual drills. Thomas should be one of the stars of the show in Indianapolis.
Isaiah Crowell, Running back, Alabama State
After getting kicked out of Georgia for carrying fire arms on campus, Alabama State running back Isaiah Crowell will be relying on the interviews in Indianapolis to win over NFL teams. He’s as talented as any running back in this class, but off-the-field questions linger for him. Will he be able to put them to rest at the NFL Scouting Combine?
Zach Mettenberger, Quarterback, LSU
Once upon a time, Zach Mettenberger was also kicked out of Georgia. He committed sexual battery in his first year at Georgia and transferred to LSU, where he turned his career around and has once again become a sought after player. In addition to the off-the-field questions, Mettenberger will be examined closely by team doctors after tearing his ACL.
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