NASHVILLE – The NFL Draft kicks off in Nashville later this week, and it will be a life-changing moment for this year's draft prospects.
Here's a look at the draft day memories from four current Titans:
Quarterback Marcus Mariota
Draft: 2015.
Picked: 1st round, 2nd overall (Titans).
Memories: "It's an incredible time in your life. For me, it was an opportunity for me to stay home (in Hawaii) and enjoy it with the family. But it's where your dreams come true. Everything that you've worked hard for, everything you've sacrificed for, you get an opportunity to get a little bit of a reward. It is a great appreciation for everything you've done, and you look back on it and it's good memories."
Tight end Delanie Walker
Draft: 2006.
Picked: 6th round, 175th overall (49ers).
Memories: "I was at home with all my family, and friends. And it was probably one of the happiest days of my life. Even though I cried it was out of excitement and just being happy. I told my mom all my life I was going to be in the NFL, and it came true that day. Seeing my mom cry, seeing my family cry, it broke me down. And that still goes down as one of the most beautiful days in my life. Just being able to see my name go across the screen, and being able to get that call still blows my mind. And the good thing is 14 years later I am still doing it."
Safety Kevin Byard
Draft: 2016.
Picked: 3rd round, 64th overall (Titans).
Memories: "It was a whirlwind. … One thing I do remember is being around my family and getting that phone call from Jon Robinson and talking to Amy (Adams Strunk). It was just a blessing, being around the TV, hearing my name being called and everybody screaming and yelling and crying. For any guy who is going to get drafted this week, whether you get the call or you are undrafted or whatever, it is a huge blessing and it is going to change your draft forever and you have to take advantage of it."
Cornerback Logan Ryan
Draft: 2013.
Picked: 3rd round, 83rd overall (Patriots).
Memories: "I made it way bigger than it was. Every pick, I took personal. I was the 13th corner drafted, and I didn't feel like I was the 13th best corner. So I am just trying to knock guys off the list. I have a list in my head, and every year I scratch guys off – some guys retire, some guys get cut. And that just fuels me to keep going. I feel like I slid in my mind, but looking back at it, I am extremely blessed. I have beautiful family, and I am able to provide for my family playing a kid's sport. I just remember the pressure I put on myself, but really you have no control on draft night. You have no idea how it's going to go. A lot of things can slide different ways. For me, it definitely put a chip on my shoulder which was a good thing and I was able to be where I'm at today because of it."
