Brad Cottam may have all the physical tools to be an outstanding basketball player, but a career on the hardwood was nothing more than a passing thought once he discovered the wide open spaces of a football field and a position that suited him perfectly.
Of course, as a 6-foot-8, 270-pound college student at Tennessee, peers couldn't help but ask if he wanted to ditch the gridiron for a little round ball.
"Growing up, I always thought I would play basketball," the tight end said at the Scouting Combine. "I got in high school and started playing football, and I loved it. I still enjoy basketball. I still play intramurals. We were the champions last year at Tennessee. But I like football better. I think if I had chosen to play basketball, I could have succeeded in that, but I chose football because I enjoy it more."
He was never asked to walk on to the Volunteers basketball team, but plenty of his friends offered up the suggestion.
Through it all Cottam remained loyal to football, even in the face of several injuries.
He tried to gain a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA after a wrist injury. He played in all but five games his senior season, but didn't see his request answered. In all he had five surgical procedures at Tennessee and enters the NFL Draft with the dreaded "injury concerns."
But he's shown an ability to play through injuries during his career.
"I’ve kind of had an injury-plagued career," Cottam said. "That’s a big question with me is my durability. We had all the medical testing (at the Combine) and everything went fine for me. So I think that question is kind of being erased for me now. All this is maybe a little more important for me -- missing nine games of my senior season -- there might be a little more emphasis. They might be watching me a little more closely.
"It was a great feeling just to come back from the injury and everything. It was one of those ones where you didn’t know if you were going to miss the whole season or not. I was able to come back and finish strong with a touchdown in the Outback Bowl and I was able to score in the Senior Bowl. I had a great week of practice. Everything has been uphill since the injury."
His 125 receiving yards may be low, but he's hanging tough on Draft boards with past performances. Of course, running the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds with a 270-pound frame doesn't hurt.
"That’s what makes me a little bit unique, being 270 and still being able to run fast," he said. "I think that’s huge."
NFLDraftScout.com ranks Cottam as the third-best tight end in the Draft. He's made it there mostly with flashes of brilliance and solid workouts.
He had just one touchdown catch in his career, but promises his skill as a receiver could be his greatest strength.
"Ever since I’ve been in college, the first thing I had to do was to put on weight to get bigger and be able to block," he said. "I think I’m an adequate blocker, but that’s an area I can definitely improve. But that’s probably my weak area."
With all the injuries, it would have been easy to understand if Cottam left the game or chose basketball to continue his career. Not the case, as he likes the physically nature of the NFL more than the below-the-boards battling on the court.
"I want to come in and contribute right away," he said when asked about his NFL goals. "I had this injury my senior season. I didn’t exactly have the year I planned on having. I wasn’t a big part of the offense just because I didn’t get the chance to practice. So I’m kind of hungry to get out there and do something."
RELATED LINKS:
- MYFALCONSDRAFT: Rank draft prospects at MyFalconsDraft.com
- TIGHT ENDS: Previewing the tight ends
- PHOTOS: Photos of some of the 2008 NFL Draft prospects
- NFL DRAFT: Draft coverage from AtlantaFalcons.com
- SCOUTING COMBINE: AF.com at the Scouting Combine
- SENIOR BOWL: AF.com at the Senior Bowl
