Today’s NFL puts a premium on versatile playmakers who can line up all over the field and score every time they touch the ball.
If your favorite team is looking for that kind of weapon in the 2020 NFL Draft class, their search should begin and end with Memphis’ Antonio Gibson.
A big-play, touchdown machine, Gibson recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about making the transition from the JUCO level, his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, and what kind of impact he’ll make at the next level.
JM: Before you were scoring touchdowns at Memphis, you were playing football at East Central Community College. Was the transition to Memphis a difficult one for you?
AG: Honestly, the most difficult part of the transition was learning Coach [Mike] Norvell’s playbook. It was way more complicated than anything I had ever seen before. It was certainly very different than what I was used to at East Central or even high school for that matter. Coach Norvell’s offense definitely took some getting used to. I had to do a lot of reading and studying to get it down pact. That was definitely the toughest part of the transition for me.
Getting used to the pace of the game at the Division I level was a bit of a challenge in the beginning. Of course, the athletes are a lot of faster and stronger in Division I.
JM: Things went pretty well for you once you became acclimated to your new surroundings. You scored 14 touchdowns on 77 touches. How is that even possible?
AG: I feel like I was always capable of that. I feel like if I would have gotten more touches, that statistic would look even more ridiculous (laughs). I made the best of my opportunities. I was trying to do something special every time I touched the ball. That’s where my mind was. I didn’t really get any touches in 2018. Going into this past season, I told myself that I would make the most of every and any opportunity I got in 2019. That’s exactly why I did.
JM: You made 38 catches this past season, and you had 33 carries, as well. I’m curious to hear more on what feedback you’re getting from NFL teams. What position do they see you playing at the next level?
AG: Most teams see me playing running back at the next level. Some teams see me playing both positions. Running back has been the general consensus, though. I’ll probably start off in a running back role. That would be something a little new for me. I’m ready for the challenge, though. I’m excited about making that adjustment. I’m used to having to adapt to new situations. That’s what I’ve been hearing from the teams that I’ve spoken with.
JM: You returned some kicks at Memphis, as well. Is that something that you’d like to continue doing at the next level?
AG: For sure, I would love to. I feel like a lot of NFL teams are pretty secure at the kick returner position but I would love to return kicks. If they want me to start off as a gunner on special teams, I’m cool with that, as well. I’ll do whatever it takes to get on the field. I’m ready for the challenge.
JM: You’re such a unique playmaker. I’m curious, which NFL players you admired growing up?
AG: I admired guys like Reggie Bush, Julio Jones and Michael Vick growing up. Reggie Bush was one of my favorite players. As I started to get a little older, that’s when I started to watch some Julio Jones. Everybody wanted to be the prime-time player that Michael Vick was, especially here in Georgia. I don’t know any kids in Georgia that didn’t wanna grow up to be Michael Vick.
As I got older and started to become more comfortable with my play style, I started to watch guys like Cordarrelle Patterson, Ty Montgomery and David Johnson. Those guys can do it all. They weren’t pigeonholed into one position. They made an impact across several positions and so will I.
JM: I know that you mentioned a few current players there, but if you had to narrow it down, is there one current NFL player that you’d compare yourself to?
AG: I know that he was a rookie last season, but I would probably say Deebo Samuel. When you look at all the jet sweeps they ran for him, he lined up at receiver and I’m pretty sure he could play some running back if they wanted to line him up in the backfield (laughs). I see a lot of similarities in our games.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
AG: It was a great experience. I’m very thankful for the opportunity. The route I took to get here, a combine invite was never a guarantee for me. You’re certainly not gonna hear any complaints from me. It was early mornings and late nights, but I was so thrilled just to be there. I took every moment in. I enjoyed the process. It was awesome.
JM: You had a fantastic combine performance, including a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. What do you think is the impression that you left out there?
AG: I definitely showcased my speed. A lot of teams put a 4.65 on me. I heard that prediction for my 40-yard dash time. That was kind of shocking to me. I didn’t think that I looked like a 4.65 player on film. I ran away from defenders in the open field. I didn’t get caught from behind on tape. That 4.65, that was stuck in my head the entire time I was there. I had to show them otherwise. I feel like I made a great impression.
JM: Hold on, a team actually said that you look like a 4.65 player to them?
AG: I had heard that feedback from certain circles. Some teams asked me what I was gonna run in the 40. I told them, in my mind, I’m a low 4.4 player. I was thinking that I was gonna run around a 4.42. Worst case scenario, I knew I was gonna get in the low 4.4’s at least. Even when I told some scouts or coaches that I was gonna run in the low 4.4’s, they were like “Oh, really?” This was at the combine. They were shocked that I predicted something in the low 4.4’s. I don’t know why that is.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing the running back or wide receiver position?
AG: I just love being able to impact the game from anywhere on the field. For me, having the ball in my hands is a lot of fun. I’m so elusive with the ball in my hands. I love making plays. Once I get going, the amount of adrenaline running through my body is crazy. I can’t stop myself.
JM: Were you able to get any private visits or workouts in before COVID-19 shut everything down?
AG: Nope, I didn’t get that chance. Everything I had scheduled was supposed to go down after my pro day. My pro day ended up getting cancelled along with every visit.
JM: Have you met with many teams via FaceTime and Zoom?
AG: A lot of teams have asked me to keep that private at this time. I have to respect their wishes, of course. I will say this, I’ve spoken to a lot of teams. I’ve done something with nearly every team in the NFL.
JM: What was the strangest question you were asked at the combine?
AG: I didn’t really get anything overly strange. This one team asked me what’s the worst thing my mother would say about me (laughs). That was pretty funny. I didn’t even know how to answer at first. My mother would never say a bad word about me (laughs). I was like, my mother wouldn’t say anything bad about me, so I don’t really know how to answer this question. It took me a few seconds to even respond. I just sat there and eventually I was like, “Nothing.” That was pretty funny.
JM: We’ve touched on your time spent in the slot. When you were lined up at receiver, did you approach a smaller cornerback any differently than you did one that could match your size?
AG: I definitely did. If I’m matched up with a smaller corner, I’m definitely gonna put my body on you and try to use my size to my advantage. I’m gonna try to use any advantage I can to create separation. If you’re a bigger guy, I’m gonna make sure that you have to use your feet against me. It always comes down to knowing your opponent and how I can gain the upper hand.
JM: What kind of impact is Antonio Gibson going to make at the next level?
AG: I’m gonna continue to move things in the right direction. The game is changing. Coaches are starting to put their athletes in promising positions and I wanna be a part of that. I wanna add on to that trend. I wanna be known as one of the best athletes on the field at any given moment. I don’t have to be pigeonholed into one position. I just wanna make plays for my team. Whether you put me at running back, wide receiver or on special teams, I’m gonna make an impact wherever I’m needed.
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