2017 NFL Draft interview: New Mexico State center Anthony McMeans

New Mexico State center Anthony McMeans is working out on the side, caring for his young family and hoping to hear his name called on NFL Draft weekend.

Anthony McMeans is rather busy these days, a bit more so than the typical NFL Draft prospect in the days leading up to the event. McMeans, of course, is putting in the requisite workouts necessary to making his dreams of being a professional football player come true, but he’s also got to work. How else is he expected to take care of a young family?

The New Mexico State center is doing everything he can to let teams know what he’s capable of, but he’s been hindered by an injury that kept him from performing as anticipated at his pro day. Instead he’s hoping scouts have done their job and that the game film speaks for itself. He’s a beast in the middle who believes he can anchor an offensive line. He’s also proven himself a hard worker and a dedicated family man. Now he just needs a chance.

The possibility of the NFL is so close but that means you’re also now finishing completely with college. Before we hit one, I want to ask about the other. How much have you thought about that?

I’m not looking at the fact that I’m done with my college career. I’m looking ahead at the fact that I’ve gotta go to a rookie mini-camp, and I don’t know where I’m going to end up. If I don’t get drafted, I don’t know which team I’ll be trying out for. That means I don’t know where to move my family right now. My lease is up in May, so I just have no idea what I’m going to do. I’m just ready to find a team so I can give it my all and set up a permanent spot. I’m trying to set my life up. I’m ready to graduate from school, so I’m ready to get on my grown-up level and make something of myself, you know?

I always stay positive and pray to God. I always keep my faith and hope, so I never get too down about a situation.

Man, it sounds like any of those things would be a stressful change for anyone and you’ve got several changes at the same time.

Bro, it’s tough, because I’ve got a little one and my girlfriend, but I’ve been making things work. I want to do better, and I’m ready to upgrade. I always stay positive and pray to God. I always keep my faith and hope, so I never get too down about a situation. That’s also why I get up early every day to get my workout and bust my ass in the weight room but then I go to work because I gotta bring some money home. I gotta take care of the family.

How are you feeling about the NFL at this point and your ability to get your name and tape out there?

Playing in the NFLPA game really got me out there to a lot of scouts. Some knew of me from playing in big games like Texas A&M or Florida, but just playing in the NFLPA game got me in front of more scouts. My first year here at New Mexico State, I literally only saw one or two scouts come out to our practices to see the seniors or whoever was here. My senior year here, I had scouts coming out every week. Every Monday there was a different scout or even two or three. I wasn’t used to seeing it, but I really got the chance to meet some people.

How did you feel about your pro day?

It could have been a lot better. Basically for my pro day, I was hurt. I ended up getting injured while training out at Baton Rouge at Traction. I ended up hurting my knee out there, so I didn’t have the day that I wanted to have.

When did you injure your knee?

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It was in the middle of my training for my pro day in February. I was there for six weeks after the NFLPA game. I’d say about the third week I hurt my knee, I was out two weeks before my pro day.

What happened in particular?

They said I had patella tendinitis. It was just from me landing on it. We were doing one-legged landings while doing broad jumps. I guess my knee was just not strong enough when I landed the wrong way. It tweaked my patella. They said it’d take a couple weeks to overcome it. I was getting therapy three times a day, but unfortunately it was still hurting during my pro day. It’s much better now.

Do you almost wish your pro day would have been postponed?

Honestly, I do. Training at Baton Rouge, we had guys from LSU and Tulane that had pro days in April. They had more than enough time to get their training in but I only had a set time to get my training in, and even then I got hurt. If my pro day was in April, I could have been healed up, because I’m feeling great now.

Did teams know who were at the pro day?

With the pro day, I didn’t have to tell anybody because once before the pro day, we all met up and had to sign a sheet filling out our name. They asked on the paper if we had any injuries, so I just wrote my problem on there.

I know the Chiefs were at your pro day along with several others. Did you get a chance to explain things to them or hear back from them?

No, I just got to introduce myself, but I didn’t have the chance to converse with any of them. I got to talk to the Chiefs at the NFLPA game. I got to talk to a lot of teams there. They set up an hour to talk to different teams, so I talked to the Chiefs then. I wasn’t too upset about it at my pro day, since I already had that chance.

Do you get a sense that some teams more than others are interested?

Yeah, I feel that. Usually with teams that are more interested, my agent will tell me that he’s talked to them.

A lot of linemen at the next level have to be versatile to get a roster spot. I know you have a lot of experience starting at center, but how do you feel about other roles?

Of course, I wouldn’t mind playing guard. I played guard all last year at practice, because we had a lot of hurt offensive linemen. We were down to eight, so once I came out at center with the first string, I would go in at guard with the second string. I also played guard for my junior college in Arizona, so I have a feel for guard. It’s not a problem for me. I can definitely do that.

Is this a childhood dream then?

Oh, yes, since I started playing football when I was 7! Back in the day, my brother and I used to sit outside all day and just play football. We’d be Jerry Rice and Michael Vick and all those guys. It’s always been my dream.

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