'People Are Going To Be Surprised': Longhorns T'Vondre Sweat Makes Bold Claim On Combine Performance
INDIANAPOLIS -- Most people are upset when a person shows up late.
Most people aren't T'Vondre Sweat, who after a four-hour hiatus made it to the podium at the NFL Scouting Combine and won over the media.
Will the former Texas Longhorns star win over scouts tomorrow during on-field drills? It's a legitimate question many have entering the week, mainly due to Sweat's size.
As for Sweat, he's doing the opposite of his surname; relaxing and recoiling.
“I’m just a big guy," Sweat said. "A lot of people get scared of the numbers and all that, but when y’all see me move tomorrow, I think a lot of people are going to be surprised.”
Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat (DL25) speaks at a press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sweat, the reigning Outland Trophy winner, drew negative attention in Mobile, Ala. when he didn't weigh in at the Senior Bowl. It was enough to draw criticism to his upside at the next level, leading to multiple mocks pushing him down the pecking order.
That won't be the case tomorrow. Sweat confirmed he would weigh in before testing, drawing a laugh from the crowd in the process.
"Everybody that wants to know [my size], you’ll see tomorrow," said a jovial Sweat.
Even if his weight is higher than expected, Sweat's skillset, hand usage and disruptive demeanor should intrigue scouts as a one-tech or nose tackle in certain formations. The 360-plus pounds didn't slow him down from winning the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year while earning consensus All-American honors.
Sweat also mentioned that last season he played at 365 pounds and it didn't faze him from being one of the nation's better run defenders. At 365 pounds, Sweat is the heaviest player at the combine.
He also would have been the heaviest player in Indy in both 2022 and 2021.
“We have to grow into our bodies, and this is me, as you can see. I’m a big guy with, a big frame, and that’s just how it is. I just grew into my frame, man.”
Grow would be correct for Sweat. As a freshman, the Huntsville native weighed 335 pounds. As a sophomore, he upped it to 346 and later 354 pounds.
It's been a conversation for scouts, who have asked Sweat about his weight during meetings. The former Longhorn said it hasn't been a problem for anyone, including himself.
Projected to mid-round pick, Sweat could gain first-round buzz with a strong combine performance at Lucas Oil Stadium. Sweat plans to work out in all drills, including the 40-yard dash.
What will his time be?
“4.4, 4.5,” Sweat said.
Laughter erupted while Sweat stayed stoic.
That wasn't a joke.
