WASHINGTON - The 2014 NFL draft is days away and media attention continues to grow when it comes to Gallaudet University defensive end Adham Talaat (Springfield, Va.). Talaat, who is deaf, is the cover story of this weekend's Washington Post Magazine and the Associated Press just released an in-depth story about him.
A picture of Talaat's profile graces the front cover of the Washington Post Magazine on May 4, 2014 is his story, "The Calling," was written by Anna Katherine Clemmons. The lengthy story traces Talaat's history but also Clemmons followed Talaat during his pre-draft workouts in New Jersey through his NFL Pro Day last month at Hotchkiss Field.
An excerpt from the Washington Post Magazine story:
As a defensive end, Talaat became the most decorated player in Bison history and a finalist for numerous awards, including the Gagliardi Trophy, given each year to the best Division III football player in the nation. More than 23 NFL scouts visited campus during his junior and senior seasons to watch him. When Talaat met and talked with the scouts, he realized that they were evaluating his ability to communicate as well as his football talent. "I'm sure part of it was the scouts wanting to gauge my hearing loss and learn that it's not a concern."
Talaat was also the first Gallaudet student-athlete to earn first-team academic all-American honors. He graduated in December with a 3.91 GPA and a degree in physical education and began his preparation for the NFL draft.
The Associated Press feature "Gallaudet star Talaat hopes to fullfil NFL dream" was written by Rob Maaddii.
An excerpt from the AP story:
Talaat, who is 6-foot-6, and a lean 271 pounds, had five sacks and 46 tackles while facing mostly double-and triple-teams during his senior season. He spent 13 weeks training at TEST Sports Clubs this winter to improve his all-around skills. The hard work paid off when Talaat posted impressive numbers at Gallaudet's first-ever Pro Day last month.
Talaat ran a 4.94 40-yard dash, had a 30-inch vertical jump and benched 225 pounds 23 times. That's two more reps than Jadeveon Clowney, the South Carolina defensive end who might be the No. 1 overall pick. Talaat's time of 7.28 seconds in the three-cone drill was only .01 seconds slower than Clowney.
If Talaat gets drafted he will become Gallaudet's first NFL draft pick. Previous deaf players Bonnie Sloan (St. Louis Cardinals, 10th round) and Kenny Walker (Denver Broncos, 8th round), were drafted in 1973 and 1991, respectively.
The NFL draft will take place May 8-10 in New York.
