Randy Gregory tested positive for marijuana at NFL Scouting Combine
Top defensive end prospect Randy Gregory tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Gregory, who went to Nebraska, was projected to be a top-10 selection in April's NFL Draft, but may see his draft stock slip as a result of the failed test.
The 22-year-old declared for the draft after an outstanding junior season for the Cornhuskers, when he recorded 54 tackles and seven sacks.
Gregory confirmed that he found about the news two weeks ago to NFL Media's Kimberly Jones.
"I blame myself," Gregory said to Jones. "And I know it sounds cliché, but there's really no one else I can blame."
At 6-foot-5, 243 pounds, Gregory projects to be an elite edge rusher at the professional level, and is quick enough to drop into coverage. Some teams could play Gregory as an outside linebacker, much like Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams' role in a 3-4 scheme.
The projected first-round pick told Jones he first started smoking marijuana to alleviate stress, but says his usage of the cannabis plant isn't problematic.
"I don't wake up every day saying, 'I'd really love to go smoke,'" Gregory said. "It's not a struggle for me every day (now), it really isn't. In the past, hell yeah, it's been a struggle. It really has been. Now, I'm focused on my dream."
Gregory blamed his elevated Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels at the combine due to his heavy usage at Nebraska. The speedy edge rusher told Jones he stopped smoking in December.
"I was worse at Nebraska than I've ever been at any other time of my life," Gregory said. "But I know how I am now. I think if teams really look at how I am now more so than the past, they'll see I'm making strides to get better, as a person and as a player."
Gregory also said that he informed teams of his past marijuana use during pre-draft evaluation interviews, and the onus has been on him to inform teams about his history with the plant.
"Obviously this is new news - that I failed the test at the combine - but the fact that I've smoked in the past isn't a mystery," Gregory said. "I've had conversations with (NFL) coaches. I believe we all have an understanding of why I did it. But I feel like I'm improving. I know I am."
Once viewed as a undisputed top-10 draft selection, Gregory may descend down some teams' draft boards. Nonetheless, Gregory doesn't view the setback as a major impediment to how his professional career will eventually play out.
"I want people to understand I'm not some dumb jock pothead. I'm not," he added. "I'm intelligent. I love the people who help me, I love my family, I love my support group. I love football. I love winning. And I don't want to be labeled as some bust that couldn't make it because he smoked. And I won't be labeled as that."