Since mid-February, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been following former Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, a projected top 10 pick in the draft, on his path to the NFL draft, which will be held April 30 through May 2 in Chicago. Each Friday leading up the draft, we’ll run a diary from Gregory, who has been training in Duluth. Sports Illustrated’s recent mock draft has Gregory, an interesting an articulate young man, being selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the eight overall pick.
BY RANDY GREGORY as told to D. Orlando Ledbetter
"I was born in Jacksonville, Fla., but we moved around a lot. Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, Indiana and few other places. My parents (Ken and Mary) were both in the Navy. They met in Italy actually. We move around because my Dad always had a promotion.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
"We were in Fishers, Indiana during my high school years. After high school (he had 17 sacks as a senior) I committed to Purdue, but I had to go to junior college because of grade. I didn’t qualify academically with the sliding scale. I did really well on my SAT, but I didn’t have the grades in the grade point average in the core classes.
"I needed a lot of credits and took a lot of different classes. Going to junior college (Arizona Western Community College) was a two-year deal. You have to get your AA (Associates of Arts) degree. There is a certain amount of credits that you have to get. I was always working to get those credits and after going to Nebraska, I had to take some more classes because some of my classes didn’t transfer over from junior college.
"A coaching staff change led to me switch to Nebraska. I was watching them play Minnesota and Purdue was getting blown out. I was think that the staff that recruited me was not going to be there. A week later, they were fired.
"Everything is going well, I think I did well at the combine and followed that up with a strong Pro Day. I’m real happy about that. Now, it’s basically just meetings with the coaches. I actually have a couple of them set up.
"I’ll be flying out (this week) and that’s when I’ll have long stretches of meeting with coaches and personal workouts for teams. I’m sure they probably don’t want me reveal the name of the teams, but at the same time I don’t remember all of them. It’s a long list.
"I just feel like you have to stay honest with the teams are interviewing you. If you stay honest it almost becomes a repetitive meeting with these coaches and kind of like telling the same story over and over again. I feel like as long as you’re honest, they really won’t find holes. They’ll hear about the same things
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
they’ve been hearing around. You just have to keep reassuring them that you’re on the right path and stay honest at the same time.
"Yeah, I gave (former Falcons defensive end) Osi (Umenyiora) a shout out at the draft. That’s my guy. I love Osi. I always have had respect for his game. When he was with the Giants I really --- that whole d-line. Justin Tuck, JPP and him, I fell in love with them. I wanted to play in New York. I would love to play in a scheme like that. At the time, I was in love with Osi Umenyiora and his game. I also like Aldon Smith and Demarcus Ware. There are a lot of guys that I look at and try to pattern my game after."
Falcons to focus on adding another cornerstone
Quinn-Dimitroff partnership off to a strong start
Q&A with Falcons head coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Falcons coach Dan Quinn fired up to watch pass-rushers
Q&A with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff on moving forward
Falcons to keep character filter on draft picks
Falcons close to re-signing kicker Matt Bryant
Falcons LT Jake Matthews recovering from offseason surgery
Falcons plan to extend WR Julio Jones contract
Falcons could target Denver TE Julius Thomas in free agency
Falcons' roster gutting could have big names (i.e. Steven Jackson)
Cutting the Falcons roster -- Should they stay or should they go?
COMBINE STORIES
Todd Gurley speaks about autograph-signing caper
Bucs appear set to cast future with Jameis Winston
Todd Gurley intriguing prospect to NFL teams
Chris Conley puts on a dazzling show at the combine
Waller, Smelter out to prove NFL standing at the combine
VIDEO DEPARTMENT
Watch: D. Led -- Falcons news at the combine
Watch: NFL Network's Mike Mayock at the combine
Watch: Todd Gurley has interviews set up with 24 NFL teams
Watch: Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff at the combine
Watch: Falcons coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Watch: Rams GM Les Snead on the pass-rush talent at the combine
FALCONS COMBINE MEETINGS
Oregon DE Arik Armstead talked scheme with the Falcons
Falcons met with Alabama quarterback Blake Sims
Falcons to meet with Florida DE Dante Fowler Jr.
Falcons met with Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson
Falcons met with Alabama safety Landon Collins
PHOTO GALLERIES
Photographs from the 2015 NFL scouting combine
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