INDIANAPOLIS -- Drills for the NFL Scouting Combine are set to begin Thursday afternoon, but some of the questions surrounding the prospects who made the trip to Indianapolis are already being answered.
One of the most intriguing prospects that will take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday is Clemson's Bryan Bresee, who's one of the top defensive tackles in this year's class and a strong candidate to be a first-round selection. He's also one of the more polarizing players here.
While his talent and makeup would draw obvious interest from just about every NFL team, there are other concerns -- mainly about his health -- that need to be answered this week.
And, in line with what I wrote at the beginning of the week, that's the true value of this event -- finding answers to the questions that really matter.
At 6-5 and 305 pounds, Bresee has great size for an interior defender in today's game. Couple that size with great power and quickness, and NFL teams have a legitimate starter on their hands. More important, Bresee has the versatility to play multiple techniques on defensive line, which is something many NFL teams will covet.
"I've shown my versatility throughout college, playing a bunch of different positions," Bresee said while addressing the media Wednesday morning. "We ran a ton of different things at Clemson. There were so many different schemes, and so many different positions. Being very versatile in the aspect of what I did in college, just in general, will help me at the next level.
"I'm a unique player. I'm a big, athletic, strong player with a super competitive drive to me and a no-quit attitude."
Bresee, a five-star recruit out of Damascus High School in Maryland, looked like a future NFL player from his very first season at Clemson. As a freshman, Bresee saw action in 12 games and played a total of 430 snaps for the Tigers in 2020. He recorded 21 combined tackles and 26 total pressures, which included 16 hurries, six hits, and four sacks on the season. Bresee was rewarded by being named a Freshman All-American by multiple publications, and also received ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
That trajectory toward a top-10 pick came to a screeching halt when numerous issues threatened his football career. An ACL injury during his sophomore season limited him to only four games. Then, near the start of his junior season, Bresee tragically lost his sister to brain cancer at only 15 years old. On top of that, a kidney infection sidelined him for a few games.
In nine games during the 2022 season, Bresee recorded eight tackles and two assists while producing 21 total pressures, which included 15 hurries, four hits, and two sacks on the year.
One might question just how much the adversity that Bresee's faced over the past two seasons can affect who he is on and off the field. Multiple health issues and a family tragedy is a lot for a young man to deal with. But, he made sure to let everyone know that the challenges only made him more motivated to be the best he could be.
"Football was my escape through a lot of things," Bresee said. "Having my teammates, family, coaches -- a lot of support all around me was definitely crucial during that time. It motivated me to push through and continue to go."
A crucial part of any NFL team's process at the Combine is sitting down with players and getting to know them beyond the gridiron. And, Mike Tomlin has been the coach of the Steelers long enough so that anyone who follows this franchise closely knows just how much Tomlin values the human being as opposed to the football player fans watch on Sundays.
The Steelers have already met with Bresee this week, and the challenges he has faced aren't going to catch Tomlin or the Steelers by surprise.
"I've known Coach Tomlin since my freshman year at Clemson. He's there all the time," Bresee said. "It was just like catching up with an old friend. He's a great guy, super easy to talk to. He's a phenomenal coach."
Having that kind of familiarity with a player can make the decision of whether or not he's worth a selection at a certain spot, especially in the earlier round of the draft, is invaluable. By this time, scouts have done the majority of the legwork. The better Tomlin and Omar Khan can get a feel for a player will seriously impact where they end up on the big board. In Bresee's case, it could be the difference between a surefire selection at 17th overall or deciding he's worth the wait if enough NFL teams aren't convinced he's a Day-1 guy.
A lot of that process, however, will become much more clear after Thursday when defensive linemen and linebackers complete all of their drills. How Bresee shows during these drills will help answer some of the questions outside of the medical process that takes place this week as well.
For Bresee, he's out to prove that he's worth every penny of a team's investment.
"Just showing everybody a healthy me out here, showing how I move, how I work. I think that'll help me a lot," Bresee said. "I feel great. I feel really, really good. I'm super excited.
"Towards the end of the season, I started feeling much better. Then, into this offseason and the Combine, just going out here and doing everything out here, competing, will show a lot of people a lot of things."
While the cornerback position seems to line up quite well for the Steelers in the first round, a clean bill of health for Bresee gives the Steelers an enticing option at 17th overall. No, defensive line isn't as pressing of a need as cornerback or inside linebacker, but the Steelers have to begin thinking about the future beyond Cam Heyward. If the stars align, Bresee presents a potential solution for the front of the defense now and in future years.
Of course, the final and critical stages of their homework will ultimately decide where the Steelers prioritize him on their big board. Some teams may be scared of the health issues and aren't willing to invest a first-round pick, regardless of the talent. The Steelers may or may not be one of those teams.
That's why all 32 teams and the class' top prospects are here -- for answers.
