Last Thursday night, Solomon Thomas and Christian McCaffrey had their lives forever changed when they were selected by the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers, respectively, in the first round of the NFL Draft. The San Francisco and Carolina media conducted conference calls following their selections and asked some intriguing questions.
Solomon Thomas – San Francisco 49ers (No. 3 overall)Congratulations.
"Thank you so much. It's such an honor."
Did the 49ers bring you to their headquarters after Stanford Pro Day and did you meet with any of the coaches then?
"No, so I actually did not. I did not have that much communication with the 49ers throughout the whole process. I talked with the defensive line coach at the combine and learned about the system, talked with him there, got a good feel for him, probably gave him a feel for myself. And then after that it was just up in the air. Just saw them at pro day, talked to them there and then just waited to hear. It was a great surprise. It was the surprise of my life. It was a dream come true."
What did you think when you kept seeing yourself going to the 49ers in mock drafts?
"You definitely do see that stuff. It's not like I didn't see it because I'm on Twitter, I'm on Instagram. So, I saw that stuff. I saw myself going to the 49ers. In my head I was like, 'I love that, but I can't ride the roller coaster. I can't believe this kind of stuff because I'm going to get my heart broken and it's going to be a bad experience at the draft.' So, I kept my mind open and came in blind here and tried to come in here and be happy for any team that drafted me, but the best team for me drafted me and the best team I wanted drafted me. So, I'm so excited."
What did you think when the 49ers made that trade down to No. 3?
"I was kind of curious what was going on. I was kind of excited to see what was going to happen and I was the one who was blessed to get that phone call and it was a dream come true."
Why are the 49ers the team you wanted to end up with?
"It's a team in the area. It's a very close team. I love the area of San Francisco. I love the Bay Area. I love [49ers general manager] John Lynch. I love the way he played. I love the way he's going to bring that mentality to his team. [49ers head] Coach [Kyle] Shanahan seems like an amazing man and an amazing coach, what he did at the Falcons. He's a coach's kid and I know how amazing he's going to lead this team. The players on this team are amazing. From [LB] NaVorro Bowman and that defense. The players on offense. I've been watching this team very closely ever since I went to college in the Bay Area because everybody loves the 49ers and I'm so happy to be on the team and it's a dream come true."
What do you remember from taking that class at Stanford with John Lynch a couple years ago?
"I remember I was star stuck the first day of class. He introduced himself as John Lynch. I was like, 'What? John Lynch is in our class?' So, I tried to cling on to him and learn from him. Very mature man, he worked very diligently. It was a really, really cool experience to be in class with him."
How much did you keep in touch with him after that class was over?
"Not too much. Just a little bit. Called him a couple times just to have advice when I was struggling playing or this new season and just trying to take it to the next level and just try to learn from him. He definitely helped me a lot throughout my career and to play for him is an even bigger honor. I can't wait to do it."
Can you give us an example of a piece of advice or some way he helped you along the way?
"During the pre-draft process before we played North Carolina, he told me, 'Don't worry about the external stuff going on. Worry about yourself and your team. The best thing you can do is go have the best bowl game possible and just go show them you're unstoppable and unblockable.' I took that advice seriously and I went to go do it."
When he got the general manager job, did you start to think that maybe you guys could be reconnected?
"I thought it was definitely a possibility. People really hadn't watched my film yet. So, I really didn't know if I was going to be able to go that high. But, I was able to and John picked me and we got reunited. I can't wait to play for this amazing team."
Does it mean something to you that you're the first draft pick John ever made?
"Definitely, definitely, and I want to make sure that I make it the best draft pick he's had. I want to make sure that I make him proud, make the team proud and make the community proud."
You said you've watched the 49ers since you were a local guy. How much would you watch their games in detail on defense?
"It's not like I watched every game, but when I could I tried to put them on TV. I watched [DL] Arik Armstead and [DL] DeForest Buckner in college. So, I tried to see them a little bit more and they're great young players on the rise and it's going to be an honor to learn from them. I love watching hard-nose football. So, I love watching NaVorro Bowman and how he plays and some other players. I can't wait to play with them and learn from them and be under their wing."
How well do you know DeForest Buckner and how do you think maybe the two of you could complement each other?
"DeForest is a great rusher. He's huge. He's 6-8. He can throw guys around and he's very strong. So, I think that I can bring that quickness and that explosion inside as well so we can feed off each other and make things work really nice in there."
How old were you when you lived in Australia? When you came back, how did it affect your American football?
"From ages two to seven, I was in Australia. I was a swimmer. I was on the beach all the time. Just grew up with a different perspective on life and a different place. Coming to America, coming to play football here, I didn't really know what football was. So, when I played football I was pure and young and didn't really care that much about the game and then I learned and I really developed this love for the game myself. Not from TV, not from what you see in the media. I developed it from playing the game. So, that's why I love this game so much because it's a pure love that I have for the game."
How much did it cross your mind that your performance against North Carolina and QB Mitchell Trubisky in the Sun Bowl might affect what happened today?
"It definitely helped me being able to play well in that game and just show people who I can be. When I'm myself, when I have my game, that's how well I can play. So, I think that game helped me out a lot and opened peoples' eyes to the player I could be."
If you were in Australia from two to seven, you must have come back with an accent?
"I did. Yes, sir. I had a very think accent. In Connecticut, they actually put me in a speech class because I couldn't speak right."
Did the 49ers give you any indication of where you would line up? Where would you like to line up if you had your druthers?
"You know, I talked about that with the defensive line coach at the combine. Kind of lining up in the end position and stuff so I can move down to that three tech, and be able to rush with DeForest or Arik in there. So, you know that's really what we talked about and I'm excited to figure out and learn more about the system."
Have you watched any of Seattle's defense since defensive coordinator Robert Saleh coached there?
"Definitely. I used to watch Seattle's defense all the time. I'm a huge [Seattle Seahawks DE] Michael Bennett fan. And so, I see him move around and see how the edge rushers rush, and so Coach Saleh does a great job. He won a Super Bowl there and I can't wait to learn from him."
You might end up playing the same position that Bennett plays. Do you see similarities in your games?
"I definitely do. You know, we're both very versatile. We're quick. You know, I have to earn my stripes before I even get compared to him. I have to play my first downs, and earn my stripes from my teammates and earn their respect. So, that's what I'm just trying to do right now."
It might be too early to ask you this, but Buckner and Armstead both go to Hawaii consistently to work out with Michael Bennett. Is that a trip you'd like to hitchhike on?
"I mean that would be awesome. You know, Hawaii's an amazing place. I haven't been since I was two years old, so I don't remember it. So, going back and being able to train with some great NFL players and learn from them, that would be a blessing."
Are you looking forward to playing Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey in Week 1?
"I can't wait to play him. You know, that's my boy. That's my best friend. I love him to death. I can't wait to play him."
How do you grade John Lynch as a college student?
"Definitely an A-plus. He was in there every day taking notes, front row. He was at every tutoring session we had with the professor, he was there. You know, he motivated me to be a better student just coming in. I was like, 'Wow this guy is coming back to finish his degree. He doesn't need to come back to school and look at how well he's doing."
Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers (No. 8 overall)On his excitement after being drafted by Carolina:
"Excited is an understatement obviously. It's such a blessing to be a part of this organization. I'm so thankful that they believed in me enough to trust me with that eighth pick. I just can't wait to get out there and do whatever I can to help them win games."
On what he came away with from his pre-draft visit to Charlotte:
"As soon as I touched down in Charlotte, it was one of the coolest places I have ever been to. I was in awe and all that. Meeting the coaches, meeting the players, just seeing the kind of camaraderie they have inside the locker room and weight room, I knew it would be a perfect fit for me and I can't tell you how thankful I am once again. I got an opportunity to meet with Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, and what amazing people they are as well. Such a successful person who means so much to an organization. That was a special moment for me. Now to put on a Carolina Panther hat and know that I am a part of this organization, it's pretty surreal."
On if the Panthers' offseason hiring of Lance Taylor, who was McCaffrey's position coach at Stanford, was an indication of interest:
"In the back of my head, a little bit but I had no idea. You know how it is. The NFL is such a game and you can never really predict anything. I just tried to trust the process and go to work every single day. Now I'm here. While this is an unbelievable moment, it's the start to something special too. It's not the end, this is just the beginning. I can't wait to get to work."
Of if McCaffrey ever dreamed of being drafted in the top 10:
"It's been a dream of mine since I was little, to be one of the best players in the draft. Now for this to come true is special to me. It's a special moment for myself and my family. There's been a lot of hard work, a lot of tough times, but a lot of great times as well. To see it pay off and to be blessed enough to go to an organization like the Carolina Panthers, I'm at a loss for words right now. I'm in awe once again. I can't wait."
On players he met during his visit to the team facility:
"I saw Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, and the first thing I did was try to imagine was blocking them, so I've got to get ready. That's all I've got to say. I'm going to do everything that I can. It's one of those things where you see these guys play every Sunday. You see guys like Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and all of these great players that Carolina has, Cam Newton – being able to now say that I'm a part of the same team as them is a blessing. These are guys that I watched growing up, 20 years young so I've been watching these guys for a long time. To be on the same team as them is a blessing. I just can't wait to learn from them."
Thoughts on playing with Cam Newton:
"I smiled. I just knew that it was going to make all of our jobs easier. He is the most talented quarterback in the NFL, hands down. I just think to be able to line up in the backfield with him, I hope we can do some special things."
On discussions with offensive coordinator Mike Shula about his role:
"We touched the surface a little bit. A lot of the similar stuff as how they used me at Stanford. They have such great backs there already, just to kind of fit in with them and just to utilize all of us in the package is going to be a lot of fun for all of us. Once again, learning from Coach (Jim) Skipper who is a legendary running backs coach and Coach Shula as well, we touched it a little bit on how I would be used, but I'm just excited to get in and learn."
On what he thinks his position is:
"I'm a football player. I don't put a title on what position I am. If you need me to go to wide out, I can go to wide out. If you need me to run power in between the tackles, I believe I can do that as well. So I think there is a variety of different things I can do. That is something I pride myself on in my game."
On the pressure created by being a high draft pick:
"There's always pressure. I'm a person who loves pressure. Pressure makes people better. There is pressure every time you walk onto a football field whether it's practice or a game. I love that. That's the kind of stuff that makes the great ones great. I plan to get there and do whatever I can to help this offense put a lot of points on the board."
On his response when people say he is not an every-down running back:
"I would just tell them to watch the tape. I've had more carries than anybody in the country over the past two years as a running back. I feel like I did pretty well. That's kind of what I would tell them."
On his experience as a Super Bowl 50 attendee:
"When you watched that team play the whole year, what a special team. It's an organization where winning is the standard, and that's what we are going to get back to. I can't wait to be a part of that."
On the reaction of his father, longtime NFL wide receiver Ed McCaffrey, to the draft:
"He gave me a big old hug and said congrats. There are so many emotions going through my family right now. All of my loved ones are here at home in Colorado. I'm just so thankful to be able to spend it with them."
On McCaffrey's dad wearing a Denver Broncos jersey:
"We threw it off and put a Carolina Panthers jersey on."
On how he'll celebrate his first NFL touchdown:
"I never know what to do so I beat my chest five times and I point up to God. That's what I stand on. That's kind of what I started doing my sophomore season. All praise goes to Him. That's just the kind of person I am. I'm a religious person. Every touchdown I score and before and after every single game, I just give it up to Him."
On playing for the Panthers offense:
"What an explosive offense. You have Cam Newton back there, you've got some great backs and you have a fantastic offensive line and some great leadership there. I can't tell you how excited I am to help this team score points and win games."