Ed Oliver was ready for the NFL as a freshman, but now he’s ready to enter the NFL Draft and silence the doubters and bring excitement to the fans.
Houston standout Ed Oliver will be one of the first players taken in the 2019 NFL Draft after two All-American seasons and an Outland Trophy.
Oliver is working with Braun to make sure he’s looking right for the NFL Draft. Speaking from P&G’s NFL Draft Style Lounge, Oliver shares how they have him looking his best for the biggest night of his life.
“They got me right,” Oliver said. “They gave me a good fresh chop. Got me looking good before the draft. They got good products whether you’re clean-shaven or got a beard. So they took care of my facial hair. Ultimately, they got me ready to go.”
Schmidt: Are you the best player in this draft?
Oliver: I ain’t going to say I’m the best player in the draft but I can definitely tell you I’ve been the most consistent over the past three years.
Schmidt: What do you want the fans of the team that drafts you to know about Ed Oliver?
Oliver: I want them to know I’m coming in and I’m coming in to make my impact felt. I’m not coming in to sit on the bench. I’m coming in to compete for a starting job. I’m coming to be violent, tenacious. I’m coming in to bring excitement to the fans.
Schmidt: There were a lot of doubters and critics who pointed to your weight and scheme fit and you were plummeting down mock draft boards. Did that tick you off?
Oliver: I got a chip on my shoulder that is so big that everything that is negative, I just flip it around and turn it into fuel and that kind of what gets me to go so hard and that’s what fuels me is the doubt. The doubt fuels the anger and the anger fuels the work ethic and the work ethic ultimately is why I’m able to the things I’m able to do on the field.
Schmidt: Your first two years at Houston were outstanding. Two-time All American. You are the first underclassmen to win the Outland, did you feel you were ready to leave for the NFL Draft then?
Oliver: I don’t know. You tell me. Did you watch the tape?
Schmidt: I watched all the tape. You were as dominant as any defensive linemen in the country the last few years so I’m not going to doubt you for a second.
Oliver: Yeah. Yeah. I think I was ready too. I feel like the league needs to do something about it because I think I could have been on to my next adventure and ultimately learning new stuff.
Schmidt: How frustrating was your last season at Houston where you battled through a nagging injury that kept you off the field for the last half of the season?
Oliver: Well you know, with anything involving injury, at first I was shocked. Then it went from being shocked to it being real that I was going to have to miss a couple of games to get myself back right. I wanted to play so bad that it was almost depressing so it just taught me to be patient. Honestly, all I can say it taught me was patience and be ready when you’re ready. I can’t say it much more than that. Wanted to come back early. It didn’t go my way. So I just had to be patient and when I was able to play, I played.
Schmidt: You lived in the backfield of the opponent the last three years. Is it more fun to sack a quarterback or stuff a running back for a loss?
Oliver: I’ll tell you what. A running back is way more exciting than a quarterback because quarterbacks are sissies. Running backs actually try to run through you or hit you with a little of pop. Showing them what’s up and letting them know where you’re coming from and how you’re coming. They’ll try to give you all they got and when you let them know where you’re coming from and they feel you, that’s just a joy and they don’t want to run your way anymore. That’s where I find my joy.
Schmidt: Are you flattered when you’re compared to Aaron Donald or are you just trying to be the best Ed Oliver you can be?
Oliver: You know a guy that is going to be a Hall of Famer, not if but when, is a great comparison. As far as right now, I haven’t been in the league. I’m not even drafted yet. It’s a great comparison. But when I get into the league, it’s not about AD, is about EO and what EO can do. And you know I love to watch his tape. I’ve watched his tape over the past couple months so much and learned so much from just watching him. But when I get in the league, I want to be in competition with him. I want to go stat for stat with him.
Schmidt: What’s the most important lesson you’ve you learned from your parents that’s helped you be the person you are today?
Oliver: Just work ethic. My dad was a carpenter. He worked with his hands. Got up early in the morning. Worked all day. I went to work with him the days I could and helped out in any way I could. Just seeing how hard he worked, ultimately made me work hard. He taught me that whatever you want to do in life, you can do it. You can achieve it. And my mom, she’s a strong woman. She raised me to be independent and not rely on anybody and just because you’re struggling don’t mean you quit. You got to work harder.