Titans Recall Draft Day Memories: "It Was Full of Joy"

Apr 20, 2017 at 03:40 AM

Jim Wyatt

Senior Writer/Editor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The NFL Draft kicks off one week from today in Philadelphia.

• Titans Draft Central

It's a big day for teams and fans, and a special day for the players selected, and their respective families.

Here's a look at draft day memories from three Titans:

Player:** Defensive lineman Jurrell Casey.

Draft: 2011.

When picked: Third round, 77th overall.

College: USC.

Memories: "For me, I was back at the house stressing out. Once those first two rounds went by, I didn't know what was about to happen after that. Really, it was a stressful day for me. But when that call came, it was full of joy and I just knew I was going to make everybody pay for passing up on me. And that is definitely what I have tried to do and will continue to try and do every time I step on that field. … If you are not a Tennessee Titan quarterback, I am coming for you."

Player:** Linebacker Brian Orakpo.

Draft: 2009.

When picked: First round, 13th overall (by the Redskins).

College: Texas.

Memories: "It was the time of my life. You work so hard to get to that point and you finally hear your name called. For me, it was almost like relief. You go through the combine, you go through the draft meetings, the individual private workouts, the whole nine yards. And you finally hear your name called and it is a big day for you and your family. You finally know which team you are going to be playing for and you are ready to get to work and prove your worth to all the veterans on the team. It definitely means a lot. … (My advice to guys) is to enjoy the process. Don't get too high or too low, just sit there and enjoy the process and don't worry about when or where you are going to be called. It is all God's plan."

Player:** Running back DeMarco Murray.

Draft: 2011.

When picked: Third round, 71st overall (by the Cowboys).

College: Oklahoma.

Memories: "I was around my family. You get a chance to enjoy that moment with the people you love and care about. Obviously you don't know where you are going to end up. You are just hoping to get an opportunity. I was fortunate to get drafted by the Cowboys, and it's a great feeling. Obviously you are stressing the whole time and you are stressing the whole time and you are scared and you don't know what the situation is going to be. But I was able to get around a group of guys and men I was able to learn from. It is definitely something you will never forget. It is a great experience. (My advice) would be to take it one day at a time. You don't know where you are going to end up, but whenever you get drafted or whenever you get the phone call you immediately have to go to work and come in there with a chip on your shoulder and come in there ready to work and definitely you have to earn the respect of the guys in the locker room. Nothing is going to be given to you no matter what you did in college, no matter how many yards or records you had broken, what kind of guy you were. All of that, once you get drafted, once you enter these doors, you are just a rookie and you are a guy who is trying to make the roster, trying to make an impact on the football team."

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Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, presents Alabama's Rashaan Evans with his Tennessee Titans jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans is introduced by Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson, left, head coach Mike Vrabel, right, at a news conference Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, center, speaks at a news conference as general manager Jon Robinson, left, and head coach Mike Vrabel listen Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, left, laughs with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel at a news conference Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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FILE - In this Friday, April 27, 2018 file photo, Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans speaks at a news conference in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Tennessee Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. The Titans have agreed to terms on a deal with their first-round draft pick LB Rashaan Evans, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, right, speaks at a news conference as Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson listens Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans poses with his jersey on stage after being selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Alabama's Rashaan Evans poses with his Tennessee Titans jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans on stage after he is selected by the Tennessee Titans during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts via AP)

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans on stage after he is selected by the Tennessee Titans during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts via AP)

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Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, greets Alabama's Rashaan Evans after he was selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans walks on stage after being selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans in the green room during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans in the green room during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Commissioner Roger Goodell presents Alabama's Rashaan Evans with his Tennessee Titans team jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip

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