The Chicago Bears took a particular interest in South Carolina defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Considered one of the top interior defensive linemen available in the draft, Quarles would fill a need for the Bears, as defensive line is considered one of the club's top three draft priorities. However, four mock drafts currently on NFL.com across the board have projected the Bears to address that need with the higher-rated Florida State defensive lineman, Timmy Jernigan, with the No. 14 overall pick. From the sound of Quarles' interview with abccolumbia.com, however, the Bears could be looking at Quarles in the second round if they address a different position in the first.
"I sat down with Chicago for a good time because the coach really liked the way I handled myself and I talked football with him, and about my life," Quarles said. "He liked the way I played on the field, and they talked to me a lot."
Quarles led South Carolina with 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss last year. He said he believes he could be a first-round pick, but expects to be chosen in the second round at the latest. Interest in the 300-pound interior lineman wasn't limited to Chicago. Quarles said he also met with the Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos in Indianapolis.
Quarles described the formal interview process as hectic.
"On the first floor, there is a room for every team. And on the window, is a team logo," he said. "There is a guy in the hallway, he has an airhorn. He blows it at five (minutes), he blows it at 10, he blows it at 15, and you only get a 15-minute meeting."
The craziest question Quarles was asked? He didn't specify if it came from the Bears, but he recalls it well.
"The craziest question I was asked was if I can cook. I told them I didn't get this big in college (because) I couldn't cook," he said.
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