AUBURN, Ala. – When Auburn's Jack Driscoll participated in the NFL Scouting Combine, he carried on a family tradition.
His father, former New Hampshire offensive lineman John Driscoll, competed at the combine before getting drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1988 in round No. 12.
"The combine was a great experience, something I grew up watching," Jack said. "Since a young kid, I've always dreamed about going, being able not only to work with the best but compete against. Everything you do there is a competition."
Driscoll, who earned Auburn's starting right tackle position in 2018 after coming to the Plains as a graduate transfer from UMass, more than held his own in Indianapolis, running the 40 in 5.02 seconds and bench pressing 225 pounds 23 times.
"I'm a really competitive person, so it was awesome getting to experience that, meet a lot of guys from other teams that you normally don't get to meet," he said. "It was fun."
Having earned his master's degree from Auburn University's Harbert College of Business, Driscoll is positioned to succeed in whatever careers he pursues. His first will be professional football. The 6-5, 306-pound Driscoll started 45 consecutive FBS games and played multiple positions, selling points he emphasized in meetings with NFL personnel.'
"Versatility and consistency," he said. "I'm going to be the same every day. I'm not going to be one of those guys who's up and down and a rollercoaster. Coaches know they're going to get a guy who can play different positions.
"I can play tackle, I can play inside, I can play center. Having that ability really helps me out. It makes me that much more valuable. I always try to be a low-maintenance guy. I'm not trying to be a guy coaches have to worry about. I know my plays. I do my responsibilities. I help younger guys out and just try to be a team player and a leader, and ultimately I think that adds value."
NFL COMBINE
40-yard dash: 5.02 seconds
Bench press: 23 reps
Vertical jump: 29.5 inches
Broad jump: 114.0 inches
DRAFT ANALYSIS
"Driscoll's main strength centers on his movement ability. He's a nimble right tackle who could project very well to the guard spot in the NFL for teams that prioritize agility over pure, man-to-man power for their blockers. He has good balance in pass protection, too. Driscoll lacks in his length department and when dealing with long, speed rushers who push his explosiveness to the maximum as a pass protector. He should be a top 100 pick." – Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
SIGNATURE MOMENT
Driscoll bet on himself when he transferred to Auburn, believing he could compete in college football's toughest division, the SEC West. He was right. Within months of arriving on campus, Driscoll not only won one of the most important starting positions on the field, he also won his teammates' respect.
"There's really no bigger stage than this," said Driscoll after his first Iron Bowl in 2018. "As a true competitor, this is what you love. You love playing against the best every week, and that's ultimately why I came down here, to play in games like this."
A year later, Driscoll walked off Jordan-Hare Stadium for the final time a victor in the sport's signature rivalry, having made one of the key blocks on Shaun Shivers' game-winning touchdown run in Auburn's 48-45 victory.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer