Name: Drew Ehrlich

Position: SS/ OLB

Age: 23

Most Recent School: Washington & Jefferson College

How did you become interested in football?

Growing up, my dad played college football, he was a captain at Princeton. It was always going to be something that was in the works. From a young age I really just loved it, I loved being physical, getting dirty. It was just something I looked forward to at the end of every summer. I’ve stuck with it and it’s turned out alright.

What did you gain from having a parent who played a college sport?

The biggest thing my dad taught me was just being tough. My dad was a linebacker back in the 70’s so kind of in that era of tough gritty football, and one thing he has always said to me that has always stuck with me is that you always get up… Never show that weakness.

For me being my size and trying to continue to play at some sort at the next level, it’s an important quality to have, and it’s something that I take pride in when I play.

What was the recruiting process like for you? What was your experience like at Washington and Jefferson?

Coming out of high school I played at Gilman, which when I was a junior, we were a really high ranked team in the country. My senior year some things changed, and it was a little different…

I originally committed to William & Mary, but I ended up changing at the last second to Villanova. I was at Villanova for three semesters, until the fall of my sophomore year.

The way things shaked out, maybe there would have been a path for me to play, but at the time I didn’t really see that. I didn’t play as a freshman, I played in four games, mostly on specials as a sophomore. I ended up making that switch to Washington and Jefferson. I had a period of time where I was kind of figuring it out… It was really time I needed to get back into football shape, work out, and re-prioritize what I needed to do.

What gives you an advantage over other athletes who play your position?

I’m versatile, I’m fast. My speed is a big thing for what I play. One of the things I’m working on is putting on a little bit weight while keeping my speed, and that’s really to be able to play in the box. I’m a downhill safety, I have gotten a lot better in coverage, I’m still working on coverage, I feel like every [defensive back] has to work on their coverage regardless of what level, no matter how good you are. Versatility, my speed, is what stands out for me personally.

How did you hear about the National Scouting Combine, why did you choose to come?

Coach Wilson reached out to me about it. I think it’s a great opportunity for guys who don’t have the bigtime recognition.

The opportunity to compete with guys who are like-minded in the sense they like football and want to pursue some aspect of it, I’m down to be a part of any group that’s involved with that. It’s been exciting to see what potential opportunities come out of it.

What’s one thing you would want a scout to know about you? 

I’m a leader first and foremost. I really take responsibility for myself and hold myself accountable, and for everyone around me. I bring that into whatever I do, working out, on the field, off the field, I’m approachable, I’m a fun guy, but when it’s time to get going I’m 100% effort, 100% of the time. I’m trying to make the guys around me better.

What is the best case scenario for you at the combine?

Any opportunity to play football, you’re only young once and you only get this opportunity one time in your life, and I want to exhaust that to its fullest extent. It’s a once in a lifetime thing and if it works out, I’m going to be locked in, and I’m going to be conditioned and ready and be on top of everything every year, every opportunity I get for as long as I’m around doing it. And if not, I really think that putting this work in now is going to make me a better person and ready for the real world.

If not football, then what?

I’m a political science major, so getting right into politics or law school for me would be the next route. I’m planning on taking the L-SAT here coming up soon, regardless of my football status, just as something I’ve always been interested in and has surrounded my life in some ways.