Getty ImagesThe NFL has reportedly told teams that no prospects failed drug tests during the Scouting Combine earlier this year and one prospective first-round pick has also taken the step of sharing other tests with teams in order to show them that he’s been clean for the last year.
Eastern Kentucky pass rusher Noah Spence started his college career at Ohio State, but left the school after failing drug tests because of Ecstasy use. Spence said at the combine that he was in a “party scene” during his time in Columbus, but that he wasn’t an addict and isn’t using drugs any more.
To back that up, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Spence sent records from his last 20 drug tests — five administered by Eastern Kentucky between May and December of last year and 15 weekly tests this year from an independent company — to all 32 NFL teams.
Those tests will be another data point for teams to consider in the next few days as they come to a decision about whether they’d be comfortable selecting Spence and, if they are, when they’d feel comfortable drafting him. Given the constant search for pass rushers around the league, it seems likely that someone will take him off the board in the first two rounds.
This guy’s gonna be good. I’d love the Titans to take at the top of round 2 if he’s still there.
Take notes Josh Gordon. Actually abstaining from drugs helps demonstrate you aren’t using drugs anymore. You can resume smoking weed when you retire as a millionaire at age 31.
If DC feels comfortable with this kid putting all that behind him… I wouldn’t be mad at him for drafting him 5th overall. He’s that kind of talent.
I still think teams in the top 10 stay away, so hopefully if Ramsey is gone Jax trades back… and grabs Spence in the teens.
That’s a smart sober move.
smart move.
The guy can play but he could also turn into this year’s version of Johnny Goofball once he gets his signing bonus.
Wow… positive comments on a story about a former drug user? You people surprise me sometimes. Good job, guys!
C’mon Jags get this guy, he is gonna be a stud!
When you have to send people drug tests so they don’t think that you are an addict tells me that you have a long way to go to change the way people think about you. Good start, but long, long way to go. Nothing to be proud of, in fact, just the opposite.
I met this guy in person, without ever knowing it was him. I was in the Columbus airport about 4 years ago on a business trip all by myself. I was early to my flight and sitting by the gate when I saw a person blatantly litter in front of me. Before I could move, a huge bulking (what looked like) 14 year old man child walked up and threw it out then sat back down with his headphones on. We made eye contact so I mentioned it was a nice gesture. We got into a conversation and he was genuinely nice and well spoken, but very quiet and reserved. Before he boarded his flight I made a comment about the OSU shorts he had on, and he mentioned he was hoping to make the team in the coming months. We shook hands and he said his name was Noah.
I googled him the next day, and I found out I had just met a 5 star recruit. I hope he makes it, and I hope my team drafts him. We all make mistakes in college, sometimes its good to make mistakes early
Wow… positive comments on a story about a former drug user? You people surprise me sometimes. Good job, guys!
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Mostly because I read the in depth profile of the guy. It didn’t gloss over his issues or only interview his friends & family. It sounds like he’s a genuinely good dude who has really turned it around. And he’s also a beast on the field.
Youknowimright says:
Apr 27, 2016 10:09 AM
When you have to send people drug tests so they don’t think that you are an addict tells me that you have a long way to go to change the way people think about you. Good start, but long, long way to go. Nothing to be proud of, in fact, just the opposite.
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Where does is say anywhere that he is proud of it. Maybe he is showing the teams that he made a mistake and has manned up and changed. If everybody that tried a drug/s in college is an attic then we have a whole lot more attics walking the earth than we thought.
If he is that good and available when Steelers draft, they will take him, regardless of CB needs.
I’m kind of glad he’s changed the language he’s using about his problems to “in a party scene”. That makes more sense then “addicted to ecstasy” like I’ve read in previous stories.. In general seems like a great kid and I wish him the best.
I’m sure all the GMs took this wonderful test score and put it on their refrigerator like any proud person would…
Smart move.
He’s not hiding from it, and is showcasing he now has a documented track record of being clean for the past year-ish.
Many will probably keep him off the board, but the team(s) that like him, will be reassured by this.
I really don’t see how he isn’t taken in the 1st round, and he probably doesn’t fall to the Cards where the NFL Network mock draft put him.
You have to wonder about his social skills if he can’t even score a doobie.
If there are medical records involved you bet that Adam Schefter is on it.
Where does is say anywhere that he is proud of it. Maybe he is showing the teams that he made a mistake and has manned up and changed. If everybody that tried a drug/s in college is an attic then we have a whole lot more attics walking the earth than we thought.
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Attics are a top floor in a house usually where you keep the Christmas decorations. An addict is something else. They are usually good at masking it as well. Addicts need money and jobs give money. Maybe he is acting this way to get a job that helps him get money for drugs. I don’t know for sure but GM’s sure better think about that before they pick him.
Proactive move.
Jags trade down to 12 and grab this guy. Some would say it is a reach, but he is going to be a STUD!
Smart kid. Hope someone grabs him early.
If he has been clean for a year, with a career motivation such as the NFL, the odds are he will stay clean. But, …