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April 27, 2007

Montgomery, Ala. - With the National Football League draft happening this weekend, Michael Coe is trying to think about to think about anything else - a trick easier said than done.

"It can drive you crazy," Coe said. "It is something you have worked for and dreamed about for so long. And now its so close, its so close."

Since the football season ended, Coe's life has been a whirlwind. He spent weeks working out in New York. He traveled to Houston for the East-West Shrine game before heading back to his training site. Just a couple of days before the Senior Bowl, Michael got a call and jumped on a flight to back to Alabama to participate in that game as well.

...I know he'll be successful. He's a big-time athlete and a great guy. Plus, of anyone I've ever been around, he is about the only guy who works out as hard and as much as I do. Tarvaris Jackson on Micheal Coe

Then, even more work outs before heading to the NFL combine in Indianapolis, where he was poked, prodded, tested, timed, measured and compared against the best college prospects in America. And, this was all before the end of February.

Nothing slowed down from there. Coe has flown across the country, visiting teams, being interviewed by media and wondering which team will call his name.

"It's a weird situation," said ASU interim head coach Reggie Barlow, who was drafted out of ASU by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995. "You work out, you travel, you talk to all of the teams, you're as busy as you've ever been in your life - and then, days before the draft it all just stops. You just sit around thinking about all of the possibilities, and yes, it can drive you crazy."

For Coe, it will be the end of a year long journey. Back in August, no one knew what to expect when he transferred from the University of Arkansas to ASU to play for his dad, Charles Coe, who was then the Hornets' head coach.

Initially, some of his new teammates were wary of the `Division I-hotshot.' But his play, and his personality, quickly won them over.

"Mike is a great teammate," said ASU quarterback Alex Engram. "He fit in here immediately. People probably don't know how knowledgeable he is, and he was always quick to share tips with younger players."

Coe, who as a cornerback led Arkansas in interceptions over the previous two years, moved to safety as ASU.

"We already had two good corners in Brandon (Averett) and Jimmy (Toussaint)," Coe said. "Although I wasn't a safety, it was best for the team for me to play that spot, so I did."

Coe quickly fit into his new role. In the first game of the season against Troy, Coe had the second most tackles on the team (six), an interception and a deflected pass.

"Whatever I do, I go all out," Coe said. "If I was going to make a mistake, it wasn't going to be for lack of effort."

Two games later, Averett broke his hand and was lost for the season. The coaches asked Coe to move back to corner. By the end of the year, he'd earned 1st team all-conference honors. Coe led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in passes broken up and tied for first in passes defended.

"The SWAC has receivers that are every bit as good as the SEC Southeastern Conference," Coe said. "And I love the opportunity to match up with the other team's best guy. I love the competition."

If the weekend goes as expected, Coe should be getting all the competition he wants and more.

The "experts" have Coe being selected anywhere between the second and the fifth rounds. NFL camps open the very next week, and where ever Coe goes, he'll be thrown right into the fire.

"I don't care who picks me," Coe said. "To me, it is just an honor to be considered by an NFL team. This is big business, and it means a lot to know that professional scouts have enough faith to draft you."

FRIENDLY ADVICE: Last year, former ASU star and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson went through the same pre-draft jitters as Coe, so he is definitely felt comfortable offering some advice.

"Mike and I were at Arkansas together as freshmen and we have stayed friends," Jackson said. "I told him to just enjoy everything. There is nothing like the moment that you hear you name and you're like, `yes, I made it!' I also told him that the draft was only the first step.

"But, I know he'll be successful," Jackson continued. "He's a big-time athlete and a great guy. Plus, of anyone I've ever been around, he is about the only guy who works out as hard and as much as I do. That is what it takes to be successful at this level, and he's got it all - talent, work ethic and smarts."