Being an NFL offensive tackle requires a lot of things: quick feet, strength, flexibility, ability to make plays in space, play recognition, etc. But maybe the most important precursor that NFL teams and scouts like myself look for, especially in a potential offensive tackle prospect is size.
And at 6’8, 333 pounds, David Mims quickly and imposingly answers that question about his transition from Division II Virginia Union to potentially playing in the professional ranks in the NFL. And while his dreams of playing in the NFL are dreamt by many and felt by very few outside of the Division I ranks, he has the potential and that aforementioned size to be right in the mix to being an NFL Draft selection.
Check out the Interview Audio Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6nNdNXo-3Y
Mims had the privilege of attending and playing in the Eastham Energy. When asked about the best player he faced while impressing the scouts in Orlando, he said “Steven Friday for sure….We had some good one on ones”.
For whatever reason, David wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine in late February.
“At first I was [frustrated], but it’s not the end of the world. I know a lot of good players who weren’t invited.”
While he won’t get to experience the NFL Combine, he did get a chance to do something not many NFL Draft prospects get a chance to do: work with a Hall of Fame player at their position.
David got to work with Anthony Munoz, Hall of Fame left tackle and considered one of the greatest of all time.
“He talked to me about what it takes behind the scenes. It was great”.
I asked him about his weight control and how he plans on addressing that question to NFL scouts. He said he is “getting [his] weight down, getting more flexible” but said he “sstill has a ways to go”.
He models his game, he said, after a guy like Jonathan Ogden, former Ravens left tackle and future Hall of Famer, but said he can be compared to current NFL starters J’Marcus Webb (Chicago Bears) and Jared Gainther (Baltimore Ravens).
When asked about his potential Combine workout on March 16th, he said his plan is “to run under a 5.3, bench 30-35 reps.”
The biggest question he’s faced in the NFL Draft process has been the one he’ll have the answer to most: the level of competition. He said he feels they aren’t an issue as much as more because of the Eastham Energy game, but understands that they’ll still be in the minds of NFL scouts leading up to the draft.
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