Month: March 2016

TALLAHASSEE — Jalen Ramsey grew up just 20 minutes from Nashville. In a month, that could be his NFL home.

Ramsey is widely considered a likely top-5 pick in next month’s NFL Draft. But he would love to make a lasting impression on the Tennessee Titans, who hold the No. 1 overall pick on April 28.

“It’s what I’ve always dreamed of, worked for,” Ramsey said after Florida State’s Pro Day on Tuesday. “I want them to pick me because they know I’m the best player in this year’s draft — not because I’m a guy from Tennessee.

“I want them to really feel like I’m the best player in the draft. I feel like I continue to show it, at my combine, at my pro day.”

The Titans have been projected by most to take Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil. But they could also use a versatile talent like Ramsey, who excelled at FSU as a cornerback, safety and nickel corner. Tennessee sent a group of scouts to Tallahassee on Tuesday, including head coach Mike Mularkey.

Ramsey impressed at the NFL combine in February, leaping 41.5 inches in the vertical jump and turning in a standing broad jump of 11 feet, three inches (both were tops among the defensive backs in the draft class). He also ran a 4.41 in the 40.

So Ramsey, a consensus All-American who had 52 tackles in 2015, opted to skip those events at Tuesday’s Pro Day and instead did a few on-field workouts in front of about 100 NFL scouts at FSU’s indoor practice facility. He did a variety of agility drills, showing off his speed and ability to quickly change direction.

“I was able to stand on my combine performance,” Ramsey said. “I didn’t have to do any combine drills here. Today I took it as another opportunity to show why I’m the best player and the best DB in this year’s draft.”

Beyond where Ramsey will begin his NFL career, the major question is what position he will play. Ramsey has the height, length and physicality desirable of an NFL cornerback. And he also has the instincts of a free safety who can read and react quickly and then deliver a hit on running backs, receivers or tight ends.

His ability to quickly learn the playbook and then handle anything that’s asked of him will make him a top-5 pick. And potentially the No. 1 choice.

“There’s not many guys like him,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “He can play all the positions. He can play corner and match up against the big receivers. He can play the field and play off. He can play a tight end and tackle. He can play a back out of the backfield. He’s also a tremendous blitzer.

“The way the game is played now, you can’t find enough of those guys.”

Ramsey was one of 14 former Seminoles who worked out (an additional eight walk-ons also participated). Among the group was former Port St. Lucie star Lamarcus Brutus, who had a 33-inch vertical jump, ran the 40 and also did on-field workouts.

“You compete with the best of the best here, and when you get to the next level, it’s the same way,” Brutus said. “The work ethic here, it teaches you how to work your way up.”

Kicker Roberto Aguayo was also watched closely as one of the top specialists in the draft, and he attempted kicks at various distances — including one at 50 yards that was good and came after Steelers coach Mike Tomlin tried to ice him by calling timeout.

Aguayo has been projected as a second- or third-round pick. Aguayo should also benefit from the NFL’s rule that keeps extra-point attempts at 33 yards. The 2013 Lou Groza Award winner, Aguayo never missed a college kick inside 40 yards.

“It works out with the extra point farther,” Aguayo said. “It just weeds out those kickers that aren’t really accurate. Anybody can really make a 20-yard field goal. But moving it back, the percentage rate, making it from 33 yards, is 88 percent. I think it helps me being 100 percent inside 40.”