Aussie defensive lineman Adam Gotsis attracts interest from numerous NFL teams

NFL teams are lining up for the services of Aussie defensive enforcer Adam Gotsis ahead of the draft in Chicago later this week.

The 6-foot-5, 128kg Georgia Tech graduate told Fox Sports Australia’s NFL program Hard Count that he has received interest from almost half the teams in the league.

“I took a visit to Arizona and a visit to Philadelphia,” Gotsis said.

“There have probably been more than 15 teams reach out to me in the last few weeks.”

A three-year starter and captain of the Yellow Jackets, Gotsis emerged as one of the best defensive lineman in the 2016 draft class.

A devastating ACL injury in his senior year hurt his draft stock and made him unable to properly work out at the NFL Draft Combine, but he’s remained on track to be fit for week one of the NFL, and possibly the final stages of pre-season.

The question is whether teams can look past the setback and see the immense potential Gotsis offers long-term as an effective run-stopper and sack machine.

“Prior to the injury I was hoping I might get into the second round,” Gotsis said.

“I just got back from the medical recheck that they do for all injured players up at the combine and they were pretty confident in my progress and very happy where I’m at.

“I’m pretty confident I’m going to get drafted. In my head I see myself being back August/September but obviously the doctors will need to clear that.”

Unlike most Australians playing American football in college in the US, Gotsis got into the sport through his local team in Monash, and even played for the national gridiron team.

At Georgia Tech the 23-year-old continued to develop as a player and a leader, with 12.5 sacks and 110 total tackles in his 48-game college career. But he’s not resting on his laurels just yet. Gotsis believes he can be one of the league’s best.

“There’s a number of guys I model my game off — Michael Bennett, J.J. Watt, Geno Atkins — they’re all guys that have their own style of play, but I feel like I can be in that same conversation and establish myself in the league,” Gotsis said.

“They’re going to get a great player and a player that’s going to come to work every day.

“I’m not really stressing where I land, just enjoy the moment and realize the opportunity I have to play professional football is bigger than what number I go.”

Source: foxsports.com.au