INDIANAPOLIS — Laremy Tunsil could very well be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, and the Ole Miss left tackle on Wednesday didn't play down those expectations.
"Everybody wants to be the No. 1 pick. I'd love to play for any team. That's been my goal since I was a little kid, man, just to accomplish one of them goals, it would be great," Tunsil said at the combine, adding that he thinks he's the top player in the draft.
"I think I have the great feet, the great frame. I just think I'm the best. You've got to have that swagger about yourself. You've got to be confident. Everywhere you go you've got to have that confidence."
After all, Tunsil is regarded by analysts as the likeliest pick for the Tennessee Titans, who hold the top selection in April, and a franchise looking for someone to block for second-year quarterback and former Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.
"They're a pretty good franchise, man. They had a little down season. Hopefully they draft me, and I can help them win games. I think I'm a hard worker, a humble guy. I'm low key, don't do much man," Tunsil said, adding, "I will tell them, 'Hey I've got great feet, man. I'm here to protect Mariota. I will put it all on the line. I will give them everything I can to protect Mariota."
But what happens if Tunsil isn't selected by the Titans?
The Browns hold the No. 2 and 32 selections in the draft along with a slew of other picks, and coach Hue Jackson said Wednesday the team will take the best player available at each of those spots regardless of position. Cleveland has selected an offensive lineman in the first or second round in three of the past four drafts.
"I think you guys all know how you stack your board, and what's going to be important is you take the best player that's available," Jackson said Wednesday, adding that taking someone of high character and talent was critical in such a decision.
Against that backdrop, Tunsil — who missed seven games last season after violating NCAA rules — might have to prove to potential suitors he's learned from past mistakes.
"I learned a lot about myself, just humble yourself man, don't be in too much trouble. Stay as low-key as possible," he said, adding he considered leaving school early because of the suspension. "You're going to have thoughts. I had to sit down with (Ole Miss) coach (Hugh) Freeze and really talk to him about it. I talked to my momma, talked to coach Freeze. I wanted to be with my teammates. I didn't want to leave my teammates at all. We're brothers."
Tunsil said he thinks he will be an asset to whatever team drafts him.
"I think I'm a hard worker. I think of being humble," he said. "I think I would be good to the team."
