NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jalen Ramsey showed up at Titans headquarters this morning dressed for success -- and with his hometown team's color scheme in mind.
His light blue shirt featured navy blue polka dots, and it was matched with a newly purchased navy blue tie. Ramsey's tan jacket complimented the look of a man who is very familiar with the Titans.
In Ramsey's mind, he interviewed for his dream job on Monday.
"I feel like this is one of the last impressions that I'll be able to make on them,'' Ramsey said of the Titans, who hold the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. "I feel like I've done everything in my power leading up to now, and I just have to finish it off strong and that is what I am here to do.
"I don't feel like I have to really sell them on anything. It's just the person I am, the player I am. I am an open book. Any questions they have, I can answer them."
An All-American defensive back at Florida State, Ramsey is under consideration for the top spot.
He remains confident he should be the guy.
What would the Titans get if they should pick him?
"They are going to get the best player in this draft class,'' Ramsey said confidently. "They are going to get the hardest worker in this draft class. They are going to get a corner, they are going to get a safety, they are going to get a nickel, and they are going to get a special teams player. They are going to get a leader, they are going to get a guy who gives them longevity.
"They are going to get the total package."
A Smyrna, Tenn. native who played in high school at Brentwood Academy, Ramsey made a case for himself on the field at Florida State, where he was the school's first cornerback to start as a freshman since Deion Sanders in 1985. Ramsey started all 13 games at cornerback in 2015, while also returning kickoffs. He finished the season with 52 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, one fumble recovery and a team-high 10 pass break-ups.
Florida State DB Jalen Ramsey makes a pre-draft visit with the Titans at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Gary Glenn)
This offseason, he kept the momentum going.
Ramsey put on a show at his well-attended pro day last month, one month after he ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis while also recording a 41.5-inch vertical leap and a broad jump of 11'3'', which were both the top measurements among all defensive backs.
The 6-foot-1, 202-pound Ramsey said he has a lot of respect for the other players listed as possibilities for the Titans in mock drafts. The most popular two players – aside from Ramsey – include Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil and Ohio State defensive back Joey Bosa.
"I think it's a very good draft class,'' Ramsey said. "I don't wish badly on anyone. I hope this draft class comes in and proves we're the best draft class to come in. I hope everyone does well, and just let the teams do their evaluations. But they are good players as well."
But make no mistake: Ramsey feels he should go first overall. Ramsey told Titans Online after his pro day he wants the team to pick him not because he's a local product, but because he considers himself the top option in the draft.
"I will always bet on myself,'' Ramsey said during a break in his day on Monday. "I am a confident guy, and you need confidence playing this game. You need confidence playing corner, and playing anywhere in the secondary really. You can be confident and humble at the same time. I just don't go around boasting about myself, but if I am asked about myself I am going to let out the truth. I am a confident guy and confident in my abilities and skills."
Titans Online looks at Florida State DB Jalen Ramsey's college career, combine workout and Pro Day. (AP Photos)
Ramsey said playing for the hometown Titans would be a dream come true, even though he admits he grew up rooting for the Cowboys as well.
He went to Titans games as a kid, and made field trips to Saint Thomas Sports Park on two separate occasions. Ramsey said he always respected players like former Titans Eddie George and Steve McNair.
"I always think about the time he stiff-armed Ray Lewis,'' Ramsey said of George. "And Steve McNair, I remember him all around."
Just walking around the facility again on Monday seemed somewhat surreal for Ramsey, who has also visited with three other teams during the process. There was something different about this trip, however.
"It has been really cool,'' he said. "The difference is I just got to drive up here this morning. I didn't have to get on a flight or be taken anywhere. I got in the car and drove here myself."
During Ramsey's visit, he spent a good chunk of time with Titans general manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Mularkey. He had lunch with secondary coach Deshea Townsend and assistant secondary coach Steve Jackson, and then met with defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. Special teams coach Bobby April also picked his brain.
It was part of a busy day that put him face-to-face with dozens in the organization.
"I know his resume, the guys he's coached,'' Ramsey said of LeBeau. "He's coached some legends and I would say he is a legend himself. It would be cool to play for someone like that."
More than anything, Ramsey just wants to play football.
Although he's not shy in admitting he'd like for it to be with the Titans.
"I just love playing the game,'' Ramsey said. "If I had to pick a position, I would pick corner. But I'm a corner who can play safety or who can play nickel.
"I am definitely hoping I'll go No.1, and I think I should be No.1. But on draft night, so many things can happen, so you never know what can happen. At the end of the day I will be happy wherever I end up."
