Kuechly (pronounced KEEK-ly), considered among the top inside linebacker prospects in the draft and a first-round prospect, called on other Boston College products such as Mark Herzlich, Anthony Castonzo, Jamie Silva and Alex Albright when weighing his decision to turn pro.
"Everyone said, 'You've got to do what's right for you,' " Kuechly said.
And so he decided it was time to take the final steps in pursuing a dream that was rooted in his first days on the football field as a fourth-grader.
The process has now moved to IMG Academy in Florida, where Kuechly and 29 other prospects such as Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson and Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill spend their days training.
The techniques are different than what Kuechly was used to. At Boston College, training always carried with it a football focus, the idea being preparation leading to results on Saturdays. But now, the focus is on the combine.
Yes, there are football-specific drills. But the combine presents a specific set of predictable tests. With the right preparation, prospects will be ready for exactly what's thrown at them. From an athletic standpoint, that means Kuechly's working on his [40-yard dash] time, plyometrics, stretching, footwork, making sure he maximizes his explosiveness.
From an off-the-field perspective, it means getting ready for the Wonderlic test and making sure he interviews well with coaches, general managers, scouts and personnel men.
Whichever team drafts Kuechly in April will do so based on the merits of his tape. For evaluators, tape is another word for production. Teams looking at Kuechly will see the nation's leading tackler in each of the past two seasons, averaging 15.92 tackles per game in 2011.
