"Just don't listen to anything that anyone's saying [heading into the draft]. I remember when I got picked, there were probably a lot of people upset. I think all the guys coming out, just go through your process, be yourself throughout the whole draft process, be authentic to who you are about your journey, about your shortcomings, all that stuff. And I think it's going to work out the way it's supposed to."
"As [former Alabama] Coach [Nick] Saban would say, he would call that rat poison. So I don't even pay attention to that stuff. I would say having a 'no' person [is the biggest piece of advice]. For me, that was crucial in navigating the predraft process and staying focused on what matters."
Tyler Shough, the third quarterback selected in the 2024 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints, emphasizes that draft prospects should disregard external commentary and remain true to themselves throughout the evaluation process. Despite an injury-plagued seven-year college career, Shough performed well enough to finish second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. ESPN gathered advice from 36 NFL rookies for 2026 draft prospects attending the combine. Key recommendations include ignoring predraft analysts' assessments, which Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Booker describes as "rat poison" following Nick Saban's philosophy. Multiple rookies stress the importance of designating a trusted advisor to decline distractions and maintain focus on individual preparation and authenticity.
Read at ESPN.com
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