Starting just after the final whistle in their last college game, NFL prospects are on the go, training and traveling like crazy until their name is called on Draft Day. These NFL hopefuls are expected to stay in peak physical condition despite schedules that would wear down even the strongest bodies.
In February, more than 300 prospects made their way to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the 2016 NFL Combine, the first chance for most to get in front of scouts. Many reached out to former teammates who have made the trip before them. Among the litany of advice that was undoubtedly shared among friends, one common theme was the lack of time to rest and sleep they would have during their extended interview.
At the Combine, Ohio State linebacker Joshua Perry talked about the idea versus reality. "Everybody tells you, ‘man it's going to be really busy and you're not going to have a lot of sleep and there's not going to be a lot of time for this, that and the other' and you're like, ‘yeah, OK, guys exaggerate all the time.' And then you get here and you're like they probably undersold it a little bit for actually how busy it is."
"I don't know how much you could exaggerate when I say from the moment that I stepped off the plane until midnight last night I was busy," Perry continued. "I was busy and then I had to wake up at four today for a drug test and I've been busy since then. It's just part of the process obviously and they want to see how guys react and respond to it but it's been a pretty time consuming process here."
Time is very limited for all involved. With so many players to analyze, 32 teams are clamoring for their chance to meet with those they deem draftable, as well as do as comprehensive of a scouting report as they can. Each player has three days of medical and psychological testing, media and team interviews, ahead of the main event on Day 4 -- the on-field workouts.
Ahead of possibly the most important workout of these players' careers, they average just 12 hours of sleep in the three days leading up to it. Despite the never-ending schedule of events, LSU safety Jalen Mills said he wasn't worried about the physical tests, and that he's "gotta get sleep sometime."
As the prospects leave the Combine, they head back to their training facility to prepare for their school or individual pro day workout -- the next chance to leave an impression with scouts. They follow that up by flying across the country for one-on-one workouts with teams, all to hopefully fulfill a dream of playing in the league.
Ohio State wide receiver Jalin Marshall noted at the Combine that he was just trying to get in some naps whenever he had a minute. This seems to be a trick for J.J. Watt, who lauded naps when the Texans were featured on Hard Knocks last season -- he even has a bed in the training facility. Watt also talked about the importance of sleep to a younger teammate, advising him that he should go to bed around 8:30 p.m. and aim for about 10 hours of sleep per night during training camp.
Whether intentional or not, coaches get to see NFL prospects perform workouts and position drills, on several different occasions leading up to the draft, but often on very limited sleep. For scouts, it's a good indication of what players can do when their bodies are taxed beyond measure, and for players it's a matter of proving you can succeed no matter what the circumstance.