April 27, 2017
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - We've all read stories about NFL prospects stressing out in the hours leading up to the draft. This isn't one of them.
Former Auburn defensive lineman Montravius Adams is in his hometown, Vienna, Ga., waiting for the call.
"I'm in a great phase right now," Adams said. "I'm just relaxed. Everything has been pretty good for me."
Adams admitted to having an "anxious feeling" about which city he'll soon call home, but after a four-month whirlwind that included training in California, the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine, Pro Day, team visits in Washington D.C. and Tampa Bay, and private workouts for the Bucs, Lions and Cowboys, he sounds like a man at peace with the process.
"It's been pretty easy for me, just because of the type of person I am," he said.
Adams and fellow defensive lineman Carl Lawson are the first two Tigers projected to go off the board. The NFL Draft, in Philadelphia this year, begins Thursday with the first round. Friday will feature rounds 2-3, with rounds 4-7 taking place on Saturday.
Montravius Adams and Carl Lawson, SEC champions as freshmen, concluded their Auburn careers in the Allstate Sugar Bowl." style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_a_storywide/12638874.jpeg"> Montravius Adams and Carl Lawson, SEC champions as freshmen, concluded their Auburn careers in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Adams, a popular four-year player with 21 career tackles for loss and 11 sacks, is eager to be as productive in the pros as he was on the Plains.
"Just prove that I can play with the best and I can become one of the best on the team," he said. "Become a leader. Sacrifice. A person my teammates can depend on. A winning mentality. Trying to win championships. That player who is always going to be there for the team. A person who would never quit."
That approach endeared Adams to his teammates, coaches and fans. More than the SEC championship he won as a freshman, or the All-America honors he earned as a senior, the bonds are what he remembers most fondly.
"The fun times I had getting to know people there," Adams said. "Being with my brothers and being with my coaches. The relationships that we built. For me, that's really the biggest part. Just the brotherhood."
Adams thanked associate head coach Rodney Garner and strength coach Ryan Russell for helping position him for the rigors of professional football.
"I feel like they prepared me very well," Adams said. "Nobody could have trained me better. I feel like Coach Russell is one of the best out there, as well as Coach G. I don't feel like anybody out there is better than Coach G.
"He taught me everything, how to develop as a person, as a man. How to get better on and off the field. How to keep doing the same thing off the field that you're doing on the field, as in your schoolwork. Trying to make sure you're good in every phase of life."
Before Adams resumed not worrying about the draft, he had parting wishes for his former teammates and a word of welcome to his future employer.
"Since I won't be play to play with them again, 'War Eagle,' and good luck to all of the football team for their season.
"Wherever I go, know you're going to get a player who's going to come out and play every day."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer