GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — A potential NFL round-one draft pick named Marshawn Kneeland from Wyoming hosted a watch party Thursday night. He waited all evening for his name to be called.
"Since I was young, I said I'm going to the NFL. I didn't really care about what college I go to. Because wherever talent gets found, I knew I was just going to the NFL," said Marshawn Kneeland, former Western Michigan University defensive end.
It's all on the line for Kneeland, who graduated from Godwin Heights. He found his love for football at 6 years old.
"My mom didn't want me to play Little League. So I was playing hand tap, which then I went into flag and then I finally got into tackle," said Kneeland.
As an all-star athlete, Kneeland was the first person to play Division 1 football from the past 30 to 40 from his old high school. He said Thursday night meant everything to him.
"It's definitely good to know that I at least have a chance. I'm at least talked about being picked up for the first round. So it means a lot just being able to obviously be recruited out of high school to now being one of the top picks in the draft," said Kneeland.
Kneeland said after playing football for years, this weekend is transformative for him and his family.
"Very life-changing obviously going from college where from Western Michigan. Normally you don't get an eye on stuff so but you know, it progressed as we got there but now being able to get paid to play football is crazy," said Kneeland.
Although Kneeland didn't get picked during round one, he anticipates that he might Friday or Saturday. He said he'll be watching each round until the weekend is over.
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