What life is like for unknown NFL Draft prospect
Keionta Davis, a defensive end for the Chattanooga Mocs ( the FCS school "adopted" byFor The Win last year) was already on the NFL's radar entering his senior year. But there now appears to be some additional buzz about his potential as a sleeper after his performance against top-ranked Alabama (four tackles, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble) and at the Senior Bowl, proving he could play with bigger-school prospects.
We asked Davis to help take us through his pre-NFL Draft experience, and we'll check back in with him from time to time. First, he broke down his preparations for this week's NFL Combine.
I wouldn't say playing in the NFL was my ultimate dream.
I was just playing football just to have fun. Once the idea of playing pro started to materialize, I put my focus into it.
Growing up, I was going to be a robotic engineer, something I was always fascinated with. That's what I started school for, and then I switched to general management. Playing football was something I liked doing and then I started getting good at it. In high school, I didn't know I was good enough to play in college, and then I didn't know I was good enough to play in the NFL. I'm always in the moment.
NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.
I was born and raised in Chattanooga and played sports all of my life. I started with football as a freshman and didn't play again until junior year, when I started getting more looks from colleges. Then I tore my ACL right before senior year. Chattanooga was always there - they always said they wouldn't treat me any differently. On signing day, they offered me a partial scholarship. Other teams preferred if I was a walk-on.
I really started hearing about the possibility of the NFL as a junior, when I was playing at a really high level. Up to that point, I was really just trying to prove myself in college. I wasn't expecting anything, it was a surprise to me. It added more motivation.
After I graduated, I came down to EXOS in Pensacola, FL. Most days, I got up at 6:30 and get breakfast at 7. Then from about 8 to 9:30, it was a workout, upper body or lower body depending on the day. Then it's position work from 9:30-10:30. You could hang out and get lunch, but some guys liked to do physical therapy to keep their muscles loose. Then, you came back at 1:30 for your second lift and run session. You're pretty much done for the day, though some days we had massages. It wasn't strenuous, but it was quality work here.
We had someone who works with the Orlando Magic and Tampa Bay Buccaneers give us a practice Wonderlic test and some interview preparation. I don't have a problem with interview. It's tougher for guys that might have a troubled background. If you don't have to answer those hard questions, it's pretty simple. The easy part for me is answering questions about football.
I haven't encountered a whole lot of weird things in preparing for the Combine, but a lot of teams want to see me at linebacker. I've been learning to move - drops, moving my hips and being space. I want to show my versatility. If they make me do drills at linebacker, I have to be prepared for that, I didn't play the position in college. I'm a really good athlete but don't think people see it that much because my head is in the dirt.
I'm here with guys projected in the first, second and third rounds. I don't see a difference in us. We all go in and prepare the same way. Everybody has adversity to overcome.
I'm not nervous, except for when it comes to where I'm going to go. Draft day might be the most stressful day I've ever had. I'll be around my family and friends, I want people who helped me get to this position be a part of this.
I know the question with the small school guys is, 'Can they handle the top level production against bigger and better talent?' At the Senior Bowl, I wanted to show them I could hold my own, that it's not a fluke.
That's my whole thing, just show everyone that I can produce because the NFL is a production business.