Ikem Ekwonu meets with Jacksonville Jaguars, says being No. 1 overall NFL draft pick 'wouldn't shock me'

INDIANAPOLIS — North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem «Ickey» Ekwonu has done his homework, and he believes he can be — and is prepared to handle being — the No. 1 pick of next month's NFL draft.

Ekwonu is currently projected by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. to go to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 1 overall pick. He's ranked as the No. 2 prospect by Kiper and No. 4 by ESPN's Todd McShay (behind Alabama tackle Evan Neal).

«I think I would be the third player in [N.C.] State history to go No. 1 overall,'' Ekwonu said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine. »… I wouldn't be shocked if I went No. 1 overall. I feel like that's something I've put the work in for it. I feel like when that time comes, I wouldn't be shocked by it."

Asked if there was anything about the draft process that would surprise the personable Ekwonu said politely «no sir.»

«I wouldn't say pressure, but there's always expectations,» Ekwonu said of being the No. 1 overall pick. «But with my work ethic… Ask any coach: I definitely put the work in. I do everything I can every day to fulfill those expectations.»

Mario Williams, taken by the Houston Texans in 2006, is the only other N.C. State player to be selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft. Quarterback Roman Gabriel was the first overall pick in the 1962 AFL draft by the Oakland Raiders.

Gabriel was also selected No. 2 overall in the NFL draft that year, behind Syracuse's Ernie Davis, and signed with the Los Angeles Rams.

Ekwonu, who formally met with the Jaguars on Tuesday in Indianapolis, played both guard and tackle in his three seasons. His video highlights are littered with defenders that he's blocked sprawled on the ground. He's an overpowering player who many personnel executives believe still has