As he established himself at Ohio State as the best cornerback in his draft class, Jeff Okudah found a role model in Darius Slay. In each of the last three seasons, Slay earned a Pro Bowl selection with the Detroit Lions, who hold the No. 3 pick in the draft. The two are mutual admirers […] More
Growing up, A.J. Epenesa and his two oldest siblings were always bigger than their teammates, and their father, Eppy, made sure they worked harder, too. On summer days, they would run a mile to and from a bridge — stopping there to do core workouts — scale hills at a local park, and flip tires […] More
Before he would play five positions on Clemson’s defense — sometimes in the same game, always to devastating effect — Isaiah Simmons had none. Many of the programs recruiting him didn’t know where, or how, he would fit. Even Clemson envisioned him only as a safety. “You never guess a guy’s going to turn into […] More
As a left tackle, Austin Jackson plays the role of protectorate — taking care of a precious commodity, a quarterback’s blind side. It’s a role for which the 20-year-old from the University of Southern California has long been prepared. For as long as he can remember, Jackson has looked after his sister Autumn, who is […] More
The last time he changed teams, from DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Md., to Ohio State, Chase Young made an indelible impression on his recruiter. “We talked on the phone probably more than anyone I’ve ever recruited,” said Larry Johnson Sr., the Buckeyes’ defensive line and associate head coach. “Sometimes at 10 at night he would […] More
Once projected as a top pick in the N.F.L. draft, Tua Tagovailoa ultimately became one of its biggest mysteries. A dynamic left-hander who won two national championships as Alabama’s quarterback, Tagovailoa has been recovering from a hip dislocation sustained in a November game. He was cleared to begin football activities in March, but teams were […] More
In any other year, N.F.L. facilities across the country would be buzzing this week, when teams are allowed to begin their off-season workout programs, the first organized football activities since they ended the prior season. Normally, this is a time when teammates are reunited for workouts and position meetings. Coaches get their first in-person look […] More
Ernie Accorsi, the former general manager of the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns and Giants, remembers attending his first N.F.L. draft in 1969. He expected to enter a grand, ornate ballroom filled with titans of the game: Vince Lombardi, Paul Brown, Don Shula. Instead, he walked into a tiny New York hotel conference room and did […] More
