When he’s not competing between the lines of a football field, former Alabama defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson is typically drawing his own on his sketch pad. The defensive lineman says he often takes out the pad to clear his mind after watching film.
Don't Miss: Combine Results and Testing Marks
Former Alabama linebacker Tim Williams open about his past at NFL Combine
Tomlinson, who participated in choir, band and even chess club on top of several different sports in high school, is also a pretty talented artist. An avid fan of anime, a Japanese style of hand-drawn or computer animation, the defensive lineman often catches himself in a world of his own with a pen or pencil in his hand.
“I’ve created a couple characters and I turned myself into an animated character sometimes,” Tomlinson told reporters at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis over the weekend. “When I’m watching cartoons, I make it into my own little version. I try to do that every now and again just to have a little fun with it.”
Standing in a 6-foot-3, 310 pounds with an arm length of 33.5 inches and hands measuring 10 1/8 inches, Tomlinson’s physique oftentimes resembles that of the characters he watches and draws. However, despite tallying 5.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, seven quarterback hurries and four pass breakups during his senior season at Alabama last year, he hasn’t generated the same hero’s welcome at the NFL Combine as some of his fellow Crimson Tide teammates.
Tomlinson is projected by most analysts to be selected in one of the mid rounds of the NFL Draft on April 27. While his strength and size should contribute to a lengthy career in the NFL, he is viewed as not having the same quick-twitch ability or natural talent as other elite defensive line prospects.
That’s nothing new to Tomlinson, who was underrated much of his senior year despite starting on one of the best defenses in Alabama history. Right now, he said he isn’t spending too much time reading what people have to say.
Discuss: Reuben Foster Being Sent Home From NFL Combine
“Sometimes, but I really stay away from them for the most part,” Tomlinson said. “I just try to stay focused and continue my training and continue what I normally do at ‘Bama,
just try to stay away from the media a little bit.”
Tomlinson said avoiding media reports on himself can be difficult at times, as family members often screenshot articles and quotes they see of him. His relatives aren’t always as accepting of the negative reports, oftentimes getting defensive on Tomlinson’s behalf.
“I’m pretty sure some of my cousins probably have the past couple months and things like that, but they mean the best for me and make sure I’m protected because I’m the younger cousin,” Tomlinson said. “I’m pretty sure all of them are pretty protective of me.”
While Tomlinson appreciates the support, there’s only so much protection a guy of his size and strength needs. Just ask anybody who has drawn the unfortunate task of trying to block him at the line.
“First off, that’s a strong man,” Former LSU center Ethan Pocic said at the Senior Bowl. “He plays with a great technique, so then he’s even stronger. He’s one of those guys that the more you go against him the better you get. He’s always doing his job, playing his gap and always doing a great job.”
Watch: Marlon Humphrey's 40
Tomlinson said at the Senior Bowl that he wanted to show NFL scouts he was an “all-around defensive lineman.” So far at the NFL Combine, he has recorded a 5.19 time in the 40-yard dash, a 27-inch vertical, an 110-inch broad jump, a 7.68 time in the three-cone drill and a 4.59 time in the 20-yard shuttle. Time will tell if that will be enough to improve on his status in the upcoming draft.
Until then, he’s focusing on drawing things up his way.
