JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Prior to this year's NFL Draft, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Michael Bennett was considered among the top defensive prospects. However, the starting defensive tackle on Ohio State's National Championship team fell all the way to the sixth round.
Still, despite his draft slide, Bennett is thrilled where he was picked up.
"This is the place I want to be," said Bennett. "This is the place where I think I can excel very, very well."
Bennett is a traditional three-technique and may see some time at nose tackle, but right now he's just trying to learn the in's and out's of playing in the NFL.
"So far it's been a pretty smooth transition," said Bennett. "I had come off a [groin] injury so I was trying to rehab and this week I finally got into practice, so that felt pretty good."
While the transition has been a bit easier than Bennett probably expected, he knows he still has plenty to take in before he can make some noise on the field.
"I'd say going from a senior who's been through all the technique drills, you know the technique that you've been taught pretty well," said Bennett.
"You can't say you've mastered it, but you know the technique very well and then you get to the NFL team and they want you to do a completely different technique. You're starting from the bottom and it's a humbling experience."
The rookie seemingly has taken a mature approach to how he explores the playbook.
"I'm just focused on each day learning something new and applying it the next day," said Bennett. "The coaches seem like they understand that process."
Bennett has been given extra opportunities to learn up-close and personal during the start of OTAs as veterans like Sen'Derrick Marks and Roy Miller stand on the sidelines while recovering from injuries. While Bennett relishes the added reps in practice, he is really looking forward to seeing Marks and Miller back on the field.
"I don't know if it helps me because I think no matter what they'd find a way to get me reps but I do get to go in there against the [second-string offense]," said Bennett regarding the extra playing time.
"[If] Sen'Derrick [Marks] was back, I'd probably only be able to play with the [third-string offense]. It would have been nice to watch Sen'Derrick, see how he works and Roy [Miller] too for when I do play nose [tackle]. For now, I think they want to get me accustomed to three-technique."
While Miller and Marks are out, Bennett has tried follow other veterans both on-and-off the field.
"From the guys that are playing now I [have gravitated towards] Ziggy [Hood], Abry [Jones] and Tyson [Alualu]," said the rookie.
"Tyson is built like a house so I try to see the way he moves, the way he controls people, what he does and Ziggy plays my position so I try to ask him for tips. Abry and Roy, I just to try to figure out what's going on in their heads, their footwork, their hand technique."
With Bennett really taking the time to learn his teammates and his position, he should be mentally ready for training camp and the preseason. After playing for a major program in college with a national championship under his belt, Bennett hopes to transition just as well on the field during the regular season on Sundays.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @mike_e_kaye.
