NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jon Robinson already knew he liked Jack Conklin.

During Conklin's introductory press conference on Friday, the Titans general manager said he got further confirmation not long after selecting him in the NFL Draft.

"He picked the jersey No.78, which was my middle school number,'' Robinson said with a smile.

The Titans snagged the Michigan State offensive tackle with the eighth overall pick in the first round of Thursday's NFL Draft. On Friday, he traveled to Nashville with his parents, girlfriend, and his agent.

During a late-afternoon press conference at Saint Thomas Sports Park, the Titans officially welcomed Conklin to town.

"It's an exciting day for Tennessee Titans football,'' Robinson said. "When coach (Mike) Mularkey and I set out three months ago, we talked about building a tough, team-first, accountable football team and we were able to add a player (in Jack) to this roster that embodies everything that Tennessee Titans football is going to be about. He is an outstanding football player, and more importantly for us he is an outstanding young man. He is going to represent this football team, his family and the Tennessee Titans family and the city of Nashville proud."

Conklin met offensive tackle Taylor Lewan and running back DeMarco Murray while in the building on Friday. He received a text message from quarterback Marcus Mariota on Thursday night.

As he sat at the podium on Friday in between Robinson and Mularkey, Conklin reflected on the path he took to get to the NFL. Conklin was a no-star recruit out of high school who walked on at Michigan State. He earned a scholarship, a starting spot, and put himself in a position to be a top 10 draft pick.

"That's probably the reason I am sitting here now today, and it goes all the way back to my parents. They have always been a part of my sports, both of them coaching me in some way,'' Conklin said. "Going in as a walk-on I was at the bottom and I knew I was able to earn anything I was given.

"That's the mentality I am going to take here. I am back at the bottom and I want to keep showing people what I can do and keep earning my way." 

Mularkey said he's "thrilled" to add a player like Conklin.

Conklin started 35 games at left tackle in three seasons at Michigan State, and three games at right tackle.

"A player of this caliber, that plays with the intensity he plays,'' Mularkey said. "I have been preaching it since I have been in coaching. … He is a football player, and you can see that. He loves the game; it is all ball. And that is going to be about here with this franchise. He is a good piece for this thing we are putting together."