| With most people talking about his slow speed times leading up to the NFL
Scouting Combine and a potential move to fullback, Ohio State’s Jonathan Wells was
looking to prove that he could be a capable runner on the next level. He talked about
speed times in general and his transition to the NFL so far. Q: What would you like
to run? What do you think you can run?
A: I’m not going to address that at this time. If anything, 4.5 will be good for
me.
Q: What’s the last time they have for you?
A: My last Ohio State time was a 4.4.
Q: At 240 pounds, where does that weight stand for you?
A: That’s a little heavy. I had to drink a lot of water this morning so I could
take a test. I drank about nine bottles of water this morning and got weighed after that.
I’ve been weighing about 235.
Q: Do you think the emphasis on the 40-speed is a little overrated because football
speed could be different?
A: I think it’s overrated, but that’s what they want to see. So you better
get up there and give them your best time. (The 40-time) doesn’t have anything to do
with football, I don’t think.
Q: During Senior Bowl practice, a lot of scouts said they were unaware of your
elusiveness for a guy your size. Can you talk about that?
A: I’ve always been able to do that. Guys sometimes look at my size, and they
don’t think I can do some of the things I do. They expect me just to pound the ball
in there, but I have a finesse game. I can run good routes, go one-on-one with guys; I
have the whole package.
Q: How did you feel that week at the Senior Bowl?
A: I saw that I really helped myself. I showed that I could do everything. They wanted
me to play fullback. I had never done that before. I got in a couple plays, did a good job
blocking. So I think I really helped myself and I’m going to keep trying to go up.
Q: How many teams did you talk to at the Combine?
A: I talked to about everyone. I got enough gear for my whole family.
Q: Did it get to be a little draining?
A: Not as far as talking to the coaches, because you always want to have fun and show
those guys you’re interested. It’s the medical things that are really draining.
Q: In your senior season at Ohio State, did you think you started out slow and then
gained momentum as the season went on?
A: I don’t think I started out slow, personally. I think we started off slow as
far as getting our timing together as an offense, which probably made it look like I
started off slow. But I ran the ball hard from the first play that I stepped out there
through the whole season. But once the offense got clicking, we threw the ball better and
things just started happening for me. As far as me, I play hard all season.
Q: Can one good year vault you into the first round?
A: We’ll see. I definitely hope so. A lot of the teams I’m talking to,
they’re really on a base where they think that I’m really just tapping into my
talent. So that’s a good thing. A lot of teams tell me that I’m learning just
how good a player I am, so that’s good.
Q: How would you best describe your running style?
A: I’m versatile. I can do anything. I can run power. I can make people miss. I
can run around them. I have all those aspects.
Q: Do you have an advantage coming out of the Big Ten?
A: I think so. We’re used to physical football. I think that’s the most
physical conference in the country. So, I think if you can run the ball in the Big Ten
week in and week out, you should have no problem adjusting to the league.
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