NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jack Conklin made the rounds during his initial trip to Saint Thomas Sports Park after being selected in last week's NFL Draft.
"I got a chance to meet him, and he's a great guy,'' Titans running back DeMarco Murray said of Conklin, the team's first-round pick. "He definitely passed the eye test."
Murray, a five-year veteran who's expected to pack plenty of punch in the running game this fall, said he'd already received positive feedback about Conklin before even meeting him. Conklin started 35 games at left tackle in three seasons at Michigan State, and three games at right tackle.
"I had a buddy that went to Michigan State, and as soon as we drafted him, my buddy texted me, 'He's a mauler. He's a beast. He's a nasty guy','' Murray said of Conklin. "So that's something that you love to hear, especially from my position."
Conklin's first trip to Nashville was a short one. He was introduced at the team's facility last Friday, and made the rounds inside the building that day before heading back home.
He's scheduled to return next week, and the team's rookie mini-camp begins next Friday.
Players on the Titans Caravan said they're excited to have him.
"Conklin is going to help out offensive line,'' Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo said. "(He's a) big, nasty, Big Ten guy. … I know he's going to bring a lot of nastiness to the offensive line."
Quarterback Marcus Mariota texted the 6-foot-6, 308-pound Conklin after the team drafted him.
Less than 24 hours after being selected 8th overall by the Titans, first-round draft pick Jack Conklin arrives in Nashville. (Photos: Andrew Hancock)
They'll get to know another a lot better in the coming months, and years.
"I congratulated him, and said 'Enjoy the moment because once you get here it gets a little hectic.' But just enjoy it and I look forward to getting to know him,'' Mariota said of Conklin.
"I think the group that was drafted can make an impact early, and we look forward to getting to know them, and move forward. … I just want to see us get better, and I think what (GM) Jon (Robinson) and coach (Mike) Mularkey have done is brought guys in, and we just need to compete amongst every single position and find ways to get better."
