‘I just played during blowouts’: Davidson offending lineman’s NFL draft

David Hale, ESPN Staff WriterNov 22, 2023

, 06:10 PM ET Close ACC reporter.Joined ESPN in 2012. Graduate of the University of Delaware.The most popular NFL draft prospect– a minimum of on social networks– is a 280-pound backup center from a non-scholarship FCS school.Davidson Wildcats ‘lineman Barclay Briggs hasn’t gotten any calls from agents or scouts, however his social media

post on Tuesday has been viewed more than five million times and made him his rightful location in college football tradition as perhaps the most enthusiastic– if not accomplished– athlete in the 2023 draft class.Briggs, a senior from Houston, Texas, made a post on X on Tuesday stating his intent to forego his final year of eligibility and get in the NFL draft, in spite of the small truth that he”only played in blowouts and or when beginners got injured.” The post rapidly ended up being a favorite of fans, media and even among his idols, J.J. Watt.Acts 2:15 #RespectMyDecision pic.twitter.com/j408iIR9Ws!.?.!— Barclay Briggs(@bbriggs2016)November 21, 2023 “I flew home for Thanksgiving [on Tuesday] afternoon, “Briggs told ESPN.”When I removed, it had a couple thousand interactions. A fair variety of people had actually retweeted it. However by the time I landed, I opened my phone and had a bunch of notices informing me that it’s

crazy on Twitter. That’s when I knew, this may go someplace.” Briggs said the idea for the post began during spring practice earlier this year. The Davidson O-line is an amusing group. The group got to discussing how amusing it may be for, as Briggs put it,”a no-name, low-level prospect made a big, fancy draft declaration.”When Davidson’s season ended last weekend, Briggs decided it was time. In the period of about 90 minutes on Monday, he scripted out this declaration:”I will offer roughly absolutely no on-field worth for an NFL franchise, however I ‘d most likely be pretty fun to have around, “he composed. Briggs then emailed it to one of his coaches, Coy Williams, who developed the graphic.Editor’s Picks

2 Associated A day after the post hit cyberspace, Briggs ‘social networks stardom has actually far outmatched his football success.After high school, Briggs stated he wished to play college football at a high level without sacrificing academics. Davidson, situated outside Charlotte, North Carolina, offered an ideal landing area. As a freshman, he was undersized for the offending line, so coaches attempted a position switch to defensive tackle.” I was abysmal,”Briggs stated.” I could not have been an even worse defensive take on.

“So, back to O-line he went, this time as a center.His bio on Davidson’s website details his career in an especially concise style:2020 -21: Saw action in the roadway win at Stetson 2021: Did not see action 2022: Appeared against Drake Briggs says he did get on the field “when the beginners got harmed,”which led to a couple of hundred snaps at center this season.The 275-pounder admits in his post that he provides little on-field value but

makes certain he would add plentiful optimism, humor and potentially a remarkable mustache to any locker space. He could also be a faith leader on a

group, captioning his post with Acts 2:15– a Bible verse

that might offer some clarity on his

frame of mind when publishing his announcement. It checks out:” These individuals are not intoxicated, as some of you are presuming. 9 o’clock in the early morning is much prematurely for that.

“In spite of his unexpected star turn, Briggs was quick to thank the people who’ve assisted shape his career: His household, coaches and colleagues, together with Oprah Winfrey and Winston Churchill.He disregarded to provide a nod to Watt– one of his preferred players maturing in Texas– but that didn’t stop the previous NFL superstar from declaring Briggs’announcement as” gold.”This is gold. https://t.co/Qnm4JzeWja!.?.!— JJ Watt(@JJWatt) November 22, 2023″It’s pretty awesome,”Briggs said.”I matured in Houston as a Texans fan, and like everybody else in Houston, I enjoy J.J. Watt. So that was amazing when I saw his retweet. That’s the icing on the cake of this entire scenario was J.J.’s endorsement.”While Briggs’NFL

dream did not extend beyond his announcement, he’ll still arrive at his feet after college. He’s set to finish in May, and he’s already accepted a job with a commodities trading company in Houston.