Defensive back looks to be next Colonel draft pick

Only 20 Nicholls State players have reached the pros.

If the football gods continue to shine on defensive back Lardarius Webb, he could become the university’s fourth player to suit up since 2004.

Defensive back and Nicholls graduate Chris Thompson began the streak when the Jacksonville Jaguars came calling. In 2007, the New York Jets grabbed Nicholls’ offensive lineman Jacob Bender in the draft’s sixth round. Last year, the Washington Redskins tapped safety Kareem Moore, also in the sixth round.

Webb posted two record-setting seasons with the Colonels, garnering 37 sports accolades, including eight All-America teams. The Opelika, Ala., native is also credited with 38 kick returns for 1,060 yards and one touchdown and 26 punt returns for 425 yards and two touchdowns.

Webb contends his punt return record would have been higher, but says teams recognized him as a threat and quit kicking in his direction.

As a defensive back, Webb recorded 106 tackles (86 solo) with seven interceptions and also compiled three sacks for 25 yards.

His stats earned him a trip to the National All-Star game in Texas in late January. This past week, he’s been at the National Football League’s Combine in Indianapolis. Listed as one of the Top 20 defensive backs in this year’s draft, analysts predict Webb will be a mid-round pick.

Sports Net: Lardarius, how did you brace yourself for the NFL Combine this past weekend?

Lardarius Webb: I was in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. working out at a place called Perfect Competition. Things went very well. I had gotten myself ready both physically and mentally.

SN: Have you gotten any advice from anyone about how to handle everything?

LW: I talked to Kareem Moore. He wasn’t invited to the combine, but he’s been telling me how to handle talking to the scouts and how to handle myself during all of my workouts. He told me just to go out there and do what I do best and let everything else fall into place. I try not to think about it. I also talked to some of my trainers who have been around for a while and knew what to expect.

SN: Did your trainers help you do the drills that they perform at the combine?

LW: They knew a lot about what it’s like to be in the combine. We just worked on those things to see what I need to improve on. It’s a lot of agility and things like that, but I think I did pretty well.

SN: What was it like playing in the Texas vs. The Nation All Star Game

LW: It was surreal. I was on the field with some of the top players in the country and plenty of future NFL products. It was an amazing experience. I had some fellow Southland Conference representatives with me in the game, so it was good seeing familiar faces.

SN: I bet you never could have imagined you would be in the situation you are now?

LW: I am very blessed and I am thankful for these gifts God has given me. I’m enjoying it while I can right now and I’m working hard every day to put on a good performance. I know if I can just keep my faith, then things will work out.

SN: How have your friends and family handled everything?

LW: They have been there since the beginningN and they really aren’t making that big of a deal out of it, which helps a lot. They let me have my space and let me enjoy it and relax. My parents have been very supportive of that. I don’t want a lot of pressure on myself, so my mom and dad haven’t been on me every day. They understand the importance of this, and are letting me have this moment.

SN: What improvements have you seen in your game over the last year?

LW: I’ve gotten a lot smarter about the game. Working with (former Nicholls defensive coordinator) coach Steve Ellis, I have learned a lot about the game and have gotten a lot smarter about what to expect from the offense. I’ve learned how to study the football game and how to compete every day from practice time to game time.

SN: What were your thoughts when you heard he was leaving to accept a job at Middle Tennessee?

LW: I was surprised, but I wasn’t that surprised because he earned it. He’s a great coach. I knew one day he would be moving up and eventually make it to the big leagues. He’s that kind of coach. He’s very inspiring, and a good player’s coach. Someone like him, I knew sooner or later that somebody was going to give him a call. I knew he would catch someone’s eye. Just like me hopefully going to the NFL, his hard work paid off. Nicholls is going to miss coach Ellis a lot because of what he’s helped us become. I’m excited for him but sad for the guys he’s leaving.

SN: Now that the combine is over, what are you going to do with your time before the NFL draft to get your mind ready?

LW: Actually, I’m coming back to Louisiana. We have pro day in March so I’m going to go back down and do some workouts for some teams. It allows me to do some defensive back drills. I’m going to be in the area and spend a little more time with the guys one final time.

SN: Any plans yet about what you are going to do on draft day as you await that phone call?

LW: I’m thinking about just being by myself somewhere and relaxing. Not so much pressure, not so much exposure. Don’t want too many people around. I just want to enjoy it myself and take it in. I’m just taking the wait-and-see approach and see what plan God has for me.

SN: What’s the best piece of advice someone has given you in life?

LW: Put God first. Of course I already know it but everybody says keep pushing.

With God first, only good things will happen. He has a plan of what he wants for me; so it’s all in his hands. Everything that happens over the next couple months is all because of him.

Lardarius Webb participated in the NFL Combine this weekend. Webb is expected by draft analysts to be the third consecutive Colonel taken in the NFL Draft in April. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF