Earlier this week we displayed the NFL Scouting Combine’s national reach by highlighting Litchfield and Notre Dame graduate John Carlson. Today, another Notre Dame graduate and fellow Minnesotan, Trevor Laws, visited with vikings.com to share some thoughts on the Combine and a potential NFL career.
Laws, listed at 6-1 and 296 pounds, plays along the defensive line. He was a standout lineman for both Notre Dame and Apple Valley High School, and it was his ability battle in the trenches that carved out a nice football career and also a top-notch wrestling career in high school.
A USA Today and ESPN.com first-team prep All-American, Laws recorded 87 tackles (17 for loss) as a senior and also played on offense as a guard. But like Carlson, Laws was a multi-sport standout in high school. He finished 49-0 as a state champion super-heavyweight wrestler as a junior and was ranked as the number-one high school wrestler in the nation. Laws finished his wrestling career as a three-time All-American with a record of 142-5 and helped the Apple Valley wrestling team win the state title as a sophomore, junior and senior. His leadership ability was demonstrated in the fact that he was a team captain in both football and wrestling as a senior.
An outstanding high school career followed by a stellar career at Notre Dame has led Laws to the Combine in Indianapolis as he auditions for a job in front of the entire NFL. In the midst of his activities on Saturday, Laws took the time to spend a few moments with vikings.com.
What strikes you about the atmosphere at the Combine?
It’s crazy, man. There are so many people and so many eyes. There is a lot of evaluation going on, with people always looking and writing. But it’s been pretty good so far.
Do you think playing at a high-profile program like Notre Dame prepares you for an event like this?
Yeah, I definitely think it prepared me a little bit. It’s still a little shocking, but I can’t imagine what it’s like for a guy coming from a D-II school or a really small school because this type of atmosphere would be foreign and challenging.
When teams ask you what you’ll be able to contribute right away in the NFL, what is your answer?
Just making plays. I had 112 tackles and I feel like there aren’t a lot of other interior linemen out there that are as productive as I am. I like to fly around the field and always be around the ball making plays.
When you talk to former teammates who are now in the NFL, what do they tell you to expect?
They tell me to always be on my best behavior because people are always watching. I need to be ready to work because they said from the time the (college) season is over until about this time next year it’s going to be a straight grind all the way through. So I need to put my hardhat on and get ready to work.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about the Combine and draft process?
What’s next for you after the Combine leading up to the draft?
Now I’m going to go back to California and keep working out until my pro day. I’ll stay in South Bend (after the pro day) and work out a little more. Then I’ll go back home to Minnesota for the draft.
What will you do on draft day?
I’ll probably have some friends and family over to the house and hang out with them. Hopefully we’ll watch my name get called.