ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
WHAT NFL TEAMS ARE SAYING ABOUT OHIO STATE'S SEVEN DRAFT PICKS FOLLOWING MINICAMPS
The three members of Ohio State's 2016 secondary that left school early all came off the board among the first 24 picks in the 2017 NFL Draft. As astounding as that is alone, another four players heard their names called throughout the weekend. That gives the Buckeyes 19 draft picks over the last two years.
A handful of other signed as free agents or earned mini-camp/workout invitations. Ohio State's influx of talent to the professional level could have been even more egregious had other underclassmen elected to leave following the 31-0 loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff.
We have to wait to see that part of the equation until next spring. In the meantime, NFL minicamps wrapped up last week, so it makes sense to see how those former Buckeyes are being received ahead of the summer months and their first-ever training camps as professionals in August.
To no surprise, the findings are overwhelmingly positive.
MARSHON LATTIMORE — NEW ORLEANS SAINTS CORNERBACK
The first cornerback selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Saints went back to the Ohio State well in the hopes Lattimore helps right a secondary that ranked last in the league a year ago. And, anytime you're a first-round pick, veterans are lining up to welcome you to the pros.
From knocking down a pass from Drew Brees intended for former Ohio State teammate Michael Thomas and then deflecting another on the very next play, Lattimore stood out at minicamp. He even earned a comparison to a popular rapper from his new head coach.
“He made a couple plays today,” Sean Payton said, according to nola.com. “Listen, I told him he's going to be like Kendrick Lamar. They're all going to get in line to go see him. That's just how it is for a rookie corner. So there'll be a long line waiting to test him and he understands that. And that's part of that status.”
Lattimore impressed Brees with his closing ability. Now he has to come back in August and do it again to earn the trust of secondary coach Aaron Glenn.
“The thing is once you show it to me, I expect it,” Glenn said. “And he showed it all in college, so the expectation is for him to continue to show those things here at the next level.”
.
.
continued
.
.
RAEKWON MCMILLAN — MIAMI DOLPHINS LINEBACKER
McMillan entered a linebacking corps that had three (likely) names as its starters in Miami but was expected to push for one alongside Kiko Alonso and Lawrence Timmons. Outside of picking Alonso's brain about his diet, the two-year starter at Ohio State had his ups and downs during OTAs and rookie minicamp.
Still, McMillan's name is the first one that pops up in the discussion on that third linebacker spot — especially if Koa Misi is not cleared after the neck injury that sidelined him this offseason.
“It is probably unfair to expect a rookie to outright win a starting linebacker job during OTAs and minicamp, especially with all the things being thrown at these draft picks in a short period of time,” wrote Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel. “But McMillan, this year’s second-round pick, didn't outshine Mike Hull to lock down the third starting linebacker spot.”
Alonso expects more and thinks he will get it from his new rookie teammate.
“He’s a big, fast kid,” Alonso said. “He’s great, a good dude. He works hard. I look forward to playing with him.”
Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...-states-seven-draft-picks-following-minicamps
The three members of Ohio State's 2016 secondary that left school early all came off the board among the first 24 picks in the 2017 NFL Draft. As astounding as that is alone, another four players heard their names called throughout the weekend. That gives the Buckeyes 19 draft picks over the last two years.
A handful of other signed as free agents or earned mini-camp/workout invitations. Ohio State's influx of talent to the professional level could have been even more egregious had other underclassmen elected to leave following the 31-0 loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff.
We have to wait to see that part of the equation until next spring. In the meantime, NFL minicamps wrapped up last week, so it makes sense to see how those former Buckeyes are being received ahead of the summer months and their first-ever training camps as professionals in August.
To no surprise, the findings are overwhelmingly positive.
MARSHON LATTIMORE — NEW ORLEANS SAINTS CORNERBACK
The first cornerback selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Saints went back to the Ohio State well in the hopes Lattimore helps right a secondary that ranked last in the league a year ago. And, anytime you're a first-round pick, veterans are lining up to welcome you to the pros.
From knocking down a pass from Drew Brees intended for former Ohio State teammate Michael Thomas and then deflecting another on the very next play, Lattimore stood out at minicamp. He even earned a comparison to a popular rapper from his new head coach.
“He made a couple plays today,” Sean Payton said, according to nola.com. “Listen, I told him he's going to be like Kendrick Lamar. They're all going to get in line to go see him. That's just how it is for a rookie corner. So there'll be a long line waiting to test him and he understands that. And that's part of that status.”
Lattimore impressed Brees with his closing ability. Now he has to come back in August and do it again to earn the trust of secondary coach Aaron Glenn.
“The thing is once you show it to me, I expect it,” Glenn said. “And he showed it all in college, so the expectation is for him to continue to show those things here at the next level.”
.
.
continued
.
.
RAEKWON MCMILLAN — MIAMI DOLPHINS LINEBACKER
McMillan entered a linebacking corps that had three (likely) names as its starters in Miami but was expected to push for one alongside Kiko Alonso and Lawrence Timmons. Outside of picking Alonso's brain about his diet, the two-year starter at Ohio State had his ups and downs during OTAs and rookie minicamp.
Still, McMillan's name is the first one that pops up in the discussion on that third linebacker spot — especially if Koa Misi is not cleared after the neck injury that sidelined him this offseason.
“It is probably unfair to expect a rookie to outright win a starting linebacker job during OTAs and minicamp, especially with all the things being thrown at these draft picks in a short period of time,” wrote Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel. “But McMillan, this year’s second-round pick, didn't outshine Mike Hull to lock down the third starting linebacker spot.”
Alonso expects more and thinks he will get it from his new rookie teammate.
“He’s a big, fast kid,” Alonso said. “He’s great, a good dude. He works hard. I look forward to playing with him.”
Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...-states-seven-draft-picks-following-minicamps
Last edited:
Upvote
0
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57609653/859081386.jpg.0.jpg)
