Greg Little is out to prove he’s matured.
After being suspended for his senior year at North Carolina for violations of NCAA agent benefits, preferential treatment and ethical conduct rules, Little is ready for the NFL draft to begin this Thursday. While suspended, he spent the year staying in shape and training in preparation for the NFL combine, his pro day, and ultimately the NFL draft … and it’s finally here.
Similar to Mike Williams (Tampa Bay) in last year’s draft, Greg Little has first round talent, but his senior year suspension is expected to drop him into the 3rd or 4th round. According to news reports, Greg’s been very open with NFL teams throughout the draft process, which has improved his stock quite a bit.
I spent some time with Greg to talk about the draft process, his 2010 suspension, and where he sees himself a year from now.
Steve Wyremski (SW): When you woke up this morning what’s the feeling with it being draft week? Nervous at all?
Greg Little (GL): I just woke up and thought about my workout this morning. I’m not nervous at all, man. As the day approaches, I may get some nerves, but as of now not really.
SW: You played basketball at UNC and come from a basketball background. How do you think that will ultimately help you in the next stay of your football career in the NFL?
GL: [It makes me] a more athletic player with the ability to go up at the high point and get the ball as you would for a rebound and a lot of other different aspects [related to] overall athletic ability.
SW: With the year of ineligibility in 2010 at UNC as a result of the NCAA violations, what is the most important thing that you learned through that experience?
GL: Just overall maturity, knowing how to handle success and how to maintain focus and morals among other things.
SW: What type of feedback have you received from some of the NFL team’s you’ve met with on the violation and how you’ve moved past that and learned from your experience?
GL: They just wanted to know exactly what happened and after they get my tell on things and they just move on. [They] want to know why I did what I did and that’s pretty much it.
SW: Throughout your football career you’ve frequently changed positions and haven’t had a season where you played the same position consecutively. How do you think that helps you?
GL: Just understanding the overall offense and the total aspects of the defense, [specifically] knowing what different defensive fronts look like, rotation of safeties, and everything of that nature. It’s knowing when blitzes are coming and knowing how to be a more physical runner after the catch at receiver because I played running back.
SW: Any indication on what round you’ll hear your name be called last this week? Have any teams hinted at that?
GL: I think I’ve optimized my potential in going as high as possible in the draft as I can. I think the teams notice that. Where ever my name lies, I’ll be happy with it.
SW: What teams have you gotten the most attention from so far?
GL: I’d say a number of teams. Tampa, Cleveland, Baltimore, Philly, San Diego, Seattle, the Bill… really a lot of teams.
SW: I’ve seen a lot of mock drafts out there. You mentioned them… some have you going in the 3rd round to Cleveland. How would you feel about that?
GL: Provided the opportunity to represent any team in the NFL is unique opportunity alone. If that happens, I’ll play my heart out.
SW: [Explains PFF rating system]. We currently have rated the Browns’ receivers (from WR1 to WR4) as the 2nd worst in the league at -17.6. Would you prefer a situation like that where you’re selected by a team with the opportunity there or would you prefer to sit on the bench for a year or two behind some of the league’s best, like an Andre Johnson-type for example?
GL: If a team drafts you, they’re going to want you to help at whatever position they draft you at. I’ve expressed to numerous teams that, if I am drafted that I’m not going to come in and want to sit behind guys. I’m going to want to push the guys around me to be better, as well as myself. Ultimately that makes a better team.
SW: This past offseason, you worked with MMA fighter Wayne Hunter to stay in shape while you were out of football. Take me through a typical workout.
GL: Everything we did was high reps with very little rest in between the entire workout. That’s just the whole philosophy of his workouts. It’s a lot more weights and explosive movements rather than total cardio.
SW: With the lockout and CBA issues looming, are you making any alternate plans to get a temporary job until this all gets resolved?
GL: I just continue to want to workout where I got ready for the draft in Phoenix, Arizona.
SW: Playing for UNC, you have former UNC players like Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate who were drafted in the past few years and are currently in the NFL. Have you spoken to them or other UNC alum about the NFL draft process and what to expect?
GL: Yes, I have and those guys have given me some great advice on how to handle draft day and that type of thing. [They’ve told me] to just remain calm and [draft day] is not a make it or break it thing.
SW: There were guys last year like Dez Bryant and Mike Williams who also missed their last year in college football and were in a similar situation as you. They were both successful in their rookie seasons in the NFL. How does that help you?
GL: Team’s understand that you’re a football player and when you miss a season, you’re even more eager to get back out and start playing.
SW: Do you have any concerns yourself that you’ve not played organized football in a year and haven’t been playing much contact football?
GL: No, but [laughs] as a receiver… 9 times out of 10 you’re not getting hit in a game, anyway.
SW: We hear a ton of talk about AJ Green, Julio Jones and Jon Baldwin. How would you compare yourself to those guys?
GL: I think we’re all very different wide receivers and we all have the ability to make plays. That’s what teams have fell in love with in all of us.
SW: With your experience at running back and playing multiple positions… has there been any talk with any of the team’s you’ve met with on playing multiple positions or working at another spot in certain packages?
GL: Yes, some teams have expressed a lot of interest in me playing a couple of different positions. [They’ve mentioned] running back, quarterback, receiver, and tight end.
SW: For whatever team drafts you later this week, what type of player are they getting?
GL: A guy that’s going to come in and push guys around him to give it there best each and every day; and a playmaker in the same.
SW: Once the draft is behind us (as well as the lockout and CBA issues) and the season begins, do you think you’re going to play with a chip on your shoulder to prove to everyone that the 2010 NCAA incident is behind you and you’re one of the best receivers in this year’s draft?
GL: Yeah, most certainly. I felt that way going into my senior season. I just wasn’t able to display my growth from 2009 to 2010. There is no other opportune time or a higher level to display that.
SW: Playing only one year at wide receiver, you’re a raw player. What in particular do you think you need to improve on the most at the next level to reach your potential?
GL: I’d say overall patience. Just knowing that when you’re running a route, if you’re running a ten yard route… you can wait to the full 10 yards before making your break. Just being more patient as a route runner.
SW: What about your route tree? Do you still need to do work there?
GL: I think I’ve done substantial work on that and I’m seeing some gains.
SW: A year from now, what do you think the masses will say about Greg Little’s rookie season?
GL: He had a very productive year and proved a lot of people wrong from a character standpoint and a player standpoint.
In the 3rd or 4th round, some team is going to draft a freak of an athlete and get a guy who’s out to prove he is one of the best receivers in the 2011 draft. Sure, Greg’s raw – with one year at wide receiver – but he’s widely regarded as one of the most talented in this class. He’s a guy to watch closely for a rookie season similar to that of Tampa Bay's Mike Williams.
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