The Shadow
The 2022 NFL Draft begins tomorrow night.
Since 2010, the NFL Draft has become a three-day format.
The draft begins on Thursday with the first round and goes all the way into Saturday for the final rounds. Rounds two and three take place on Friday, while round four through seven round out the draft on Saturday.
Over the course of the next three days of the draft, history could be made out of the City of Covington, VA, where a player is selected in the draft from the area.
Tyler Dressler, a 2017 Covington High School graduate, has the opportunity to be the first to come out of Covington and reach the NFL.
“This would mean a lot to me. But not so much to me, but for the community as well to show that a small town kid that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, the world is yours and you have every opportunity to go out and get it. I’m representing my community the best way possible. I’m trying to be that guy where if I can help one or two other kids and help them in their career paths and lively hoods then it all was definitely worth it”, said Dressler on the possibility of reaching the NFL this weekend via the draft or a free agent signing.
According to scouts and reports, Dressler is considered as a draft selection in rounds six and seven, but is listed as a top free agent priority post the NFL draft.
“I feel really good. I’m confident. At this point I have done everything that I possibly could to put myself in position to sign with a football team this week or weekend”, said Dressler on his feelings heading into the draft.
At the University of Richmond Pro Day, Dressler, helped his draft stock by putting together a phenomenal display of his skillset in front of NFL scouts and spectators. According to the33rdteam.com, Dressler, was ranked in the top 10 Pro Day risers who helped their draft stock. Dressler, who worked his hardest at bench reps throughout his journey to his Pro Day, finished with 22 reps on the bench press. His 22 reps would have placed him fourth at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis at his position (LB).
Dressler’s performance at the bench press certainly grabbed the attention of the scouts as his performance in the drill put him in the rankings of the top linebackers in the draft class that includes, Utah’s Devin Lloyd and Georgia’s Nakobe Dean, and many others.
“I don’t know a whole lot about them (Lloyd and Dean), but one thing I know that can separate me from them and a lot of these other guys (ranked ahead in the draft), I have always been a small town guy and even with Richmond compared to these other schools like Utah who are power-five schools. Just who I am as an individual, I know I have to work just as hard if not harder than these guys just to be able compete. For me it’s been hard work to survive and I don’t know what these guys have done this offseason, but for me personally, you have to outwork everybody, that’s just my mentality, so hopefully that can separate me along the lines”, said Dressler on what separates him amongst the top ranked at his position.
More often than not, NFL draft prospects watch the draft from their homes and their parents homes where they grew up.
“I’ll be watching Thursday and Friday, but Thursday morning I have training to do and then on Friday I’ll head to Covington and get in a workout while keeping up with draft. On Saturday, I’ll be home, mom and dad will be there, my close family and I’m going to invite some of my close friends and former teammates and we’ll all hang out around the house and see what happens. I talked with my agent and he said the phone will be going crazy Saturday and to be somewhere quiet, but obviously family and friends will be there, so we’ll need to be able to communicate throughout the day. The day is going to be very hectic, but at that point I am going to be as calm and relaxed as possible and just being able to communicate with my agent”, said Dressler on what he’ll be doing during the draft days.
While the draft is an exciting time for all prospects, it can be stressful as well. For Dressler, nothing has changed during this process or within the last few weeks leading up to this day.
“I really haven’t changed anything up. I have had a few people ask me if I am nervous or if it’s kicked in yet and I’ll be honest yeah a little bit because it’s such a life changing event and a having an unknown present which is always a little worrisome. I talked to my coach (Russ Huesman), who I call my friend at this point, he coached me for five years and he looked me straight in the eyes and said you have been doing this your whole life, this is the NFL, but it’s just football and this is nothing you can’t handle. He said don’t overthink and do what you do best. So I have been keeping that close to my heart and utilize that as much as possible throughout this process”, said Dressler.
While Dressler would be the first to reach the NFL out of the City of Covington, back in 2009, John Phillips, was the first ever selected out of Alleghany County where he attended High School at Bath County. Phillips, was a sixth round selection of the Dallas Cowboys. Dressler, has the opportunity to be the second to come out of the area of Alleghany County to be drafted and or signed in the NFL.
The NFL draft begins at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow night.
