Zion Young may have been awarded this year’s Senior Bowl Defensive MVP, but Nadame Tucker was every bit as good and had more to gain from a standout showing.
Tucker punctuated an outstanding final collegiate season with a two-sack performance, including a forced fumble, during the all-star contest. The reigning MAC Defensive Player of the year was explosive and slippery, with the polish to finish rushes.
It’s no longer uncommon to hear of a college football player taking the long road before finding success. Tucker’s path may have been longer and more winding than most.
The 24-year-old prospect attended two different community colleges before spending three seasons with the Houston Cougars. He produced little during his time in H-town. He finally exploded onto the scene this past year with 21 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks.
“I never counted myself out,” Tucker told the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. “Yeah, it can feel like it’s a long shot. It can feel like the NFL is a long shot. As long as you keep faith, you don’t know the future. It’s one day at a time and work. Work never fails.”
When asked about needing time before flourishing, Tucker added, “I was in a great environment [at Western Michigan]. It wasn’t toxic. I was just around great people, great energy and people that want to see me succeed.”
Tucker’s performance Saturday isn’t an aberration. He’s a legitimate pass-rusher with plenty of juice. More importantly, he showed it against the highest level of competition at the height of the evaluation process.