CMU's Eric Fisher outduals Luke Joeckel at NFL combine
Former Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher only had one other scholarship offer coming out of high school.
Saturday, he competed in the first day of the 2013 NFL combine, looking to prove why he deserves to be the first offensive tackle selected in April’s draft.
“Obviously, I have a chip on my shoulder coming from a smaller school,” Fisher said in an interview with NFL.com. “I only got one other offer from Eastern Michigan.
“It’s not up to me in the end (where he is selected in the draft), but I’m working my hardest to be the number one tackle. I’m a very competitive guy. I love being first in everything I do, and, until I’m first, I’m just going to keep battling trying to prove myself to everybody.”
According to Scouts Inc., Fisher is the fifth-best player entering the draft and the second-highest rated tackle behind Texas A & M’s Luke Joeckel.
However, Fisher recorded better numbers than Joeckel in three of the six drills on Saturday. Fisher ran a 5.05 second 40-yard dash, had a 116-inch broad jump and completed the 20-yard shuffle in 4.44 seconds, a top performance in that category.
Joeckel ran a 5.30-second 40-yard dash, had a 106 inch broad jump and completed the 20-yard shuffle in 4.68 seconds.
They both did 27 reps on the bench press and had a 28.5-inch vertical jump. Joeckel beat Fisher in the three-cone drill 7.40 seconds to 7.59 seconds.
“It’s been a crazy ride,” Fisher said. “But, I came here to compete with these guys from some of the top schools in the nation. It’s a great experience for me. I really had fun today showing my skills and showing people what I’m made of.”
Fisher was originally projected as a late first-round pick but improved his draft stock after an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl Jan. 26.
“I knew exactly what I had to do at the Senior Bowl,” he said. “It was completely business for me. I was not down there to have fun at all. But, I thought I had a very productive Senior Bowl, and I was very happy with it.”
Fisher said he has benefited from the advice of former Chippewa and current San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley.
“Watching Joe’s NFL tape and seeing someone who’s been there and done that, it’s been awesome,” he said.
After the combine, Fisher will have another opportunity to prove why he should be a top overall pick at CMU’s Pro Day on March 11.
“I just have to keep doing what I’m doing,” he said. “I don’t really want to change anything. My work ethic is what got me here.”
