A day after Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles took the stage, and an hour or so after Jadeveon Clowney and Michael Sam hit the podium, Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater strolled into the media center and met with the press.
He had a large contingent around him, but not the swollen crush that engulfed the other four. He calmly answered question after question, and confidently explained why he should be the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
"The biggest thing I think is my accuracy," Bridgewater said. "This past season, I was able to complete 71 percent of my passes."
Bridgewater (6-2, 214) also listed his "third-down passing completion percentage" and his "pocket
presence" as attributes that separate him from the rest.
With 31 touchdowns and just four interceptions in his junior season of 2013, Bridgewater was incredibly careful with the ball. His knack for starting out strong as a freshman, and only getting better is also a positive checkmark on the resume.
"I'm a competitor," Bridgewater said. "Each day I go out there and I'm eager to learn, remain a student of the game, and I think that right there just separates me."
Bridgewater is also impressed with Texans head coach Bill O'Brien.
"He's a great coach," Bridgewater said. "I'm eager to meet him and talk to him."
Bridgewater will not throw at the Combine, but said he'd run the 40-yard dash. On Sunday morning, he pulled out and decided not to run. He plans on throwing at his Pro Day at Louisville.
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