| NFL clubs have been measuring 6-7, 265-pound Washington TE Jerramy
Stevens on the risk-reward meter since the middle of the 2001 college football season.
Stevens, who could be the most talented tight end in the draft, also has a lengthy rap
sheet. Physically skilled, Stevens knows his past is a concern. But for Stevens to leave
his past behind him, he must first prove he is dedicated to his future. Q: What do
teams want to know about you?
A: I think the main question is how will I do off the field; whether those things are
behind me or not? I’m just being candid with everyone I’ve talked to and
shooting straight with them. I let them know those things are in the past.
Q: What do you tell them?
A: That I realize the magnitude of my mistakes and how they affected myself, my team,
my family and my surroundings. It is something I look forward to putting behind me and
focusing on the positive things in the future.
Q: At what point does it become important to you to end these behaviors?
A: I’ve come to that realization. It can’t be a part of my life if I intend
to play football as a career, and I do.
Q: A lot of people think you might end up with Seattle, maybe in the second round.
How would you feel about staying in Washington?
A: I think I’d enjoy different surroundings. I wouldn’t object to a change of
scenery. It is hard to put things behind you when you are right there with that reminder.
Q: Why did you not work out at the Scouting Combine?
A: I strained my hamstring a couple of weeks (before). It makes it easier for me just
not to work out rather than what would look like just picking the things you are good at.
I just chose not to work out at all.
Q: Does that add pressure to work out at a Pro Day?
A: As a football player, you hope the bar is set high because you want something to
reach for. I know what I can do.
Q: Does it help you to be 6-7?
A: Other guys don’t have that. They can do all the work with weights and that sort
of thing they want … but it won’t make them 6-7. It is nice to know you hold an
advantage in any area in these surroundings.
Q: What teams have shown the most interest in you?
A: I don’t really know. I have talked and (visited) so many teams. Everybody wants
to talk to you, which makes you feel great that you are wanted, but it is hard to say who
is feeling you out and who knows what they want.
Q: Are you a commodity because you are a 6-7 tight end?
A: It’s either you are a pass receiver or a blocker as a tight end. I think I have
a lot of upside. I’ve only played tight end for three years. I think I can create
mismatches, but I am more of a pass-catcher right now. Blocking is an area I will improve.
Q: Why were you moved to tight end?
A: I received some recruiting as a tight end, quarterback and strong safety. I came to
Washington expecting to play quarterback and things didn’t work out, but I’m
happy with where I’m at. I made All-State (in high school) as a strong safety. But
I’m happy where I am.
Q: Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the TE option pass in the NFL. Can
you still throw it?
A: Oh, yeah. I can still throw it. If they give me the shot, I’m all for it.
Q: What did leaving early come down to?
A: I’m going to graduate this summer (American Ethics Studies, minor in English)
and I will have one year of eligibility, but I really felt like it was time to move on. I
enjoyed college and college football, but this is what we play for.
Q: What interested you in American Ethics?
A: I went in as an English major. I took the literary track and it got a little too
involved. I had already achieved the minor, so I went to American Ethics Studies because I
could relate to it better than English.
Q: Who helped with the decision?
A: My parents and our TE coach (Keith Gilbertson) are the people I confided in. They
were supportive. I mean, the NFL is the highest level of achievement you can reach in
football. This is a dream since fourth grade when I played Pop Warner. It’s hard to
have it within reach and not reach for it.
Q: Is it hard to erase a negative personal perception?
A: Not if you are forthcoming and straightforward with the people that ask. I have a
(checkered) past. I try to explain the type of situation, how it came about and really
just try to get the negative perception wiped out and present myself as I see me. There is
a little written, a lot talked about. Just for me to sit down and be able to change
opinion, or at least offer my side of the story, that helped me out a lot.
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