In 2012, Mychal Kendricks anxiously awaited draft weekend. He didn't know which team would select him or what the future would hold. Now, the linebacker is set to be an Eagle through the 2019 season, thanks to the extension he signed in 2015, and has four seasons worth of starting experience under his belt.
With the 2016 NFL Draft coming up, Kendricks discussed the things he's learned from his time in the league in hopes of passing down those lessons to players who are now going through a similar process. Read what the linebacker had to say about his journey.
On What To Expect From The Draft
"I would say not to expect too much of anything going into the draft because the way the draft works is that anything can happen with teams, decisions and even with your own expectations. You can get thrown for a loop. Just ride the wave and take it for what it is. Once you get in the league, let your impression be felt. Take full opportunity of the change that's given. For those who don't get drafted, going into the league is going to be a hard road but it's one that's been done before. Some of the best players are in that same position and they've exceeded expectations."
On His Emotions During Draft Weekend
"Draft weekend I was nervous. It was nerve-wracking not knowing where I fell in other people's eyes and what they thought of me, even with a good performance at the Combine. I talked to people who had been in the league prior to that and I understood going into it that anything could happen. When I fell out of the first round, I was really, really sad and depressed. I thought that I was never going to get drafted, but I had six other rounds to go. It just didn't seem that way. Just stay calm and don't get overly excited because once you get to the league, everyone is on the same playing field. Getting drafted is one thing, but being in the league and making your impression in the NFL and staying in the league and becoming everything you want to be in the league is a whole other thing. Just get through the first process and when you get to that second process, take full advantage."
The Eagles signed linebacker Mychal Kendricks to a four-year contract extension on Monday that will keep him in Philadelphia through the 2019 season ...
Linebacker Mychal Kendricks is so excited about his four-year deal he already has his helmet on
Kendricks is one of only three Eagles since 1982 to post at least four sacks and three interceptions in a single season, recording four sacks and three picks in 2013
The 2011 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year at Cal, Kendricks appeared in all 51 games during his four-year college career.
A second-round draft choice of the Eagles in 2012, the speedy and instinctive Kendricks was immediately inserted as a starter on the Eagles defense in his rookie campaign and has since developed into one of the unit's top playmakers.
Kendricks finished second on the team in 2014 with 108 tackles and tied for third with three forced fumbles.
Kendricks led the team with a season-best 16 tackles and forced his third fumble of the 2014 season when he stripped the ball loose from Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch vs. Sea. (12/7)
Kendricks forced a fumble of RB DeMarco Murray and intercepted QB Kyle Orton at Dal. (12/29) in 2013. The two turnovers led to 10 points by the Eagles on their ensuing drives.
Forced his second fumble of the season early in the third quarter vs. Ten. (11/23) in 2014, which ultimately set up an Eagles touchdown.
Recorded his third sack of the season - his sixth in an eight-game span - when he brought down Panthers QB Cam Newton for a 10-yard loss in a win vs. Car. (11/10) in 2014.
Kendricks registered a strip-sack of Texans QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in the first quarter at Hou. (11/2) in 2014.
Kendricks paced the team with 13 tackles and notched a sack of Jaguars QB Chad Henne in a 2014 season-opening win vs. Jax. (9/7).
Kendricks forced a fumble vs. Was. (9/21) in 2014, stripping RB Alfred Morris in the first quarter.
Kendricks sacked Washington QB Robert Griffin III for a 10-yard loss in the second quarter at Was. in 2014 (12/20)
Kendricks led the NFL with four fumble recoveries and finished the 2013 year ranked second on the team with a career-high 137 tackles.
Kendricks posted a career-high two sacks of QB Jay Cutler vs. Chi. (12/22) in 2013.
Along with DeMeco Ryans, the duo became the first pair of linebackers in team history to post 4+ sacks and 2+ interceptions in the same season in 2013.
Kendricks ranked third on the team with 88 tackles and ranked third on the team with 11 knockdowns in 2012.
While in college, Kendricks earned several All-America selections as a senior in 2011 and was named the Pac-12's Defensive Player of the Year. He played in all 13 games with 11 starts, leading the team in tackles with a career-high 106, while adding two interceptions and three sacks.
On Life In The NFL
"It is a tough road entering the NFL. There's a lot of pressure situations that you feel that you have a responsibility for that you really don't control, but as a young guy, a young man, it's kind of hard to understand that. I feel like with all the linebackers that you study as a player, you see where you can fit in. You have to understand yourself before you understand others. When you understand what hasn't been done, that's what you should try and do. You should try and set the bar and try to do things that haven't been done before. That's what I'm trying to do. Whether I achieve that or not, just know that that's what I'm trying to do. They should definitely try to innovate and separate themselves in the league."
On How To Become A Leader
"I think being able to shut my mouth and listen was a big thing. You've got to be able to listen before you can respond. A good listener makes a good leader, someone who is willing to listen and take in constructive criticisms and ask a lot of questions. Now I've gained enough knowledge to pass that down to the ones below me and that's how it works. There are still times when I'm confused and still drawn back by the way that real business can be run, which is how the NFL is run. I still reach out for help. I still don't have all the answers, but there's nothing like going through the experience to gain experience. You can prepare all you want, but you won't be a complete person until you go through the experience." !
