Friday 28 April 2017 01:34, UK
Throughout the hype which surrounds the NFL Draft, Myles Garrett has remained cool, even as he became the first player off the board in Philadelphia on Thursday night.
Looking back over his career so far, it appears that the Texas A&M defensive end has become accustomed to the weight of expectation that has always been upon him.
Having grown up in Arlington, Texas, Garrett was a three-sport star. As well as American football, he excelled in basketball and on the track.
Highly recruited, Garrett committed to Texas A&M, just two hours' drive from his home. He was considered the second best prospect in the country, of any position, and he didn't disappoint.
Garrett recorded 11.5 sacks in his first season (an SEC division record among freshmen), before leading the SEC with 12 sacks in his second year, winning the Bill Willis award for the country's top defensive lineman.
Despite an ankle sprain in his junior year, Garrett still managed 8.5 sacks, and was awarded his second nomination to the All-American first team.
He continued to impress at the 2017 NFL combine, leading all defensive linemen in the vertical jump, and finishing second in the broad jump and bench press. There were more plaudits after Garrett gave his all at the Texas A&M Pro Day. Scouts and general managers agreed that, though he had nothing to prove, it reinforced Garrett's positive attitude.
It's not just on the field that the 21-year old has impressed. Confidence is crucial in the NFL and Garrett is certainly not short of that. Having threatened to make the Cleveland Browns pay if they decide to pass up on him with the first pick, he also said that he most wants to sack New England Patriots quarterback, and five-time Super Bowl winner, Tom Brady.
As a life-long Dallas resident, Garrett made no secret of his desire to play for the Cowboys. Back in February, he used an ESPN radio interview to suggest the Cowboys trade Tony Romo to Cleveland, in order to secure his services.
Romo subsequently retired, and now Garrett must become accustomed to calling Cleveland home, for the next four years at least.
With the whole of the NFL world watching developments unfold on Thursday night, many players, both former and current, have had their say on the consensus number one.
"I think you'd be a fool to pass up on him," said five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith. "He's the best overall player in the draft. He fits all the attributes, all the measurables of a number one overall pick."
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner also believes that Garrett is the 'safe' option for the number one selection.
"When I talk to people, they put him as one of the people that can't miss, and when you have the number one pick, you gotta pick a guy that is not gonna miss.
"It's hard to go in that spot (picking first) and have a chance to set your team up, and go with a guy that you're not quite sure about."
Danny Shelton may have the opportunity to play with Garrett in 2017, having been drafted first by the Cleveland Browns in 2015.
"He's a freak athlete, and a confident guy," Shelton said.
"Watching his film, he's a really great player, and he's going to be great for the NFL, so we'll see what happens."
