Report: Falcons 'Really Like' CB Nehemiah Shelton; EXCLUSIVE Draft Interview
Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London broke a franchise rookie record with 72 catches in his debut season, just months after being far-and-away the most productive receiver in college football.
But during London's third and final season with the USC Trojans, there was one particular corner who gave him trouble - San Jose State's Nehemiah Shelton.
Fast forward to some 17 months removed from London's matchup vs. Shelton and the Falcons have a need to add a starting cornerback opposite A.J. Terrell ... and Shelton appears to be a legitimate candidate to fill that spot.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Falcons "really like" Shelton after spending the last week coaching him at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Further, Shelton was named the top cornerback on the East team by NFL evaluators, with the criteria factoring in performance both in practice and team meetings. He also stood out in the game, hauling in an interception.
In essence, Shelton's week at the Shrine Bowl was impressive and he lifted his stock in the eyes of NFL evaluators.
Beyond the accolades, Shelton was truly memorable away from the field. He had several conversations with Falcon Report, be it in an interview setting, during practice warmups or simply striking up a conversation while waiting for other media members.
Shelton is evidently a good football player and he could be a Falcon in three months ... and by all accounts, that would be an outstanding addition to the city of Atlanta.
Here's Shelton, the person ...
Standing 6-0, 186 pounds with 32-inch arms, Shelton is easy to pick out; he's lanky and slender but looks like an NFL cornerback.
The Gardena, California native has a sense of West Coast cool but complete focus; his answers are detailed, even after a practice session and meetings with scouts, and he's as focused on the questions as he would be a receivers hips in-route.
After all, Shelton's been on the other side of this - as a communications major, part of his college curriculum was watching, interviewing and writing about sporting events; he knows the strenuous nature of the job.
But he's also grateful for the opportunity that sits ahead of him.
After playing both receiver and corner in high school, Shelton went to a community college in Long Beach. Just six years later, he was inside the Luxor Hotel handling media interviews.
But that experience wasn't all for naught - during his stop at Long Beach City College, Shelton met his girlfriend of now four years, though the two didn't even talk the whole year, he said.
The irony of the situation is that Shelton is the complete opposite on the gridiron. Whether it's London or anybody else, when Shelton is in coverage - he said he prefers press when in man coverage and off in zone coverage - he enjoys the conversational element.
"I'm a talker," Shelton said. "Yeah, I'm a talker - I like to talk when we're winning though. I like to talk when we're doing our thing on defense and we're getting it going. I'll go up there and talk a little bit, say a little something."
This confidence - not cockiness - is part of what makes Shelton who he is ... but so has the learning process that began in Long Beach.
He mentioned that being a freshman and leaving high school and junior college was a "big transition," being away from his parents for the first time. Time management became a struggle but he still managed to record four interceptions and earn all-league honors en route to getting his San Jose State offer.
The emphasis here is on earned - Shelton went from community college to playing only three games in his first year for the Spartans but proceeded to start 38 of his final 42 contests, earning honorable mention All-Mountain West in his final two years.
But what changed?
"Definitely just my maturity and how I show up to work every day," said Shelton. "I just feel like managing my time better and getting more mature on how I take this job and how I go about it, showing up extra early, an hour-plus early, staying later, getting the extra work in, putting in all the work that needs to be done so you can be good at your craft."
Shelton realized he needed to improve - so he picked a few role models and ran with it.
The first is Los Angeles Rams All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Shelton said it's because they "have a similar body build," citing their unusual length for corners.
The other - and his personal favorite - is Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, as he simply "love(s) his swagger and what he brings to the game."
These are things Shelton tries to emulate within his game, especially learning the nature of being a professional - as he said, he's showing up to work every day and putting in all of the extra things necessary to improve.
And by all accounts, when given a chance to prove he's a professional, Shelton has capitalized.
When facing USC and London, Shelton was targeted nine times but allowed only five receptions for 53 yards and just five yards after the catch while adding a pair of pass breakups.
At the Shrine Bowl, he was admittedly up-and-down in one-on-ones but rose to the occasion in the game, snatching an interception and deflecting two passes.
The message? That this under-recruited former community college standout from the Mountain West Conference can hang with elite competition.
"It just proves that I can go out there and compete with anyone, regardless of who they are, where they come from, what they do, I can go out there and lock up the top guy, no problem," Shelton asserted. "I definitely got the ability to do it, it's just a matter of me putting my mind to it and going out there and executing it."
Shelton has the mindset and day-to-day approach of a professional, in addition to the length, ball skills and humility. He's a treasure of a human who makes a stranger seem like a best friend - unless they're lining up across from him.
And that, by all accounts, is good reason for the Falcons to "really like" what he brings to the table ... and might just be enough to get him in Atlanta come training camp.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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