By now, you’ve prepared for Thursday’s NFL Draft with all the mocks you can read, scanned through Twitter for trade possibilities and smoke screens, and now you’re looking at prospect highlight videos to do your own scouting.
But: Have you noticed those highlight reels have their own soundtracks? And how those soundtracks are sometimes a little incongruous with the action on screen?
That’s what this list is for. I watched a bunch of prospect highlight videos as Thursday approaches and I’m delivering my review of some of the songs that are used. Let’s run through a few of the noteworthy tunes.
1
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE -- Michigan
Am I in a cyberpunk nightclub right before the bass drops, or am I trying to watch someone sack a quarterback? Who knows?
Zara Larsson & MNEK — Never Forget You (Price & Takis Remix)
I mean, Hutchinson’s only going to the NFL, right? Is he supposed to be just a memory now because he left school? What’s the premise here? Because I don’t get it.
2
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE -- Oregon
Lucas Sparx Feat. Yaya — Lucky (with Feu Stan)
Thibodeaux is a 6-foot-5, 258-pound man who demolishes human beings considerably larger than him on a regular basis. I should be enjoying all his remarkable plays. Feels like we should be doing laundry while watching this video.
Is that pumping bass supposed to drop with every Thibodeaux sack? Because it isn’t synced up that way, and it really should be.
3
Evan Neal, OT -- Alabama
Bernard Foccroulle — Orgelbüchlein Neujhar; No. 17, In dir ist Freude, BWV 615
A routine pass block set has never sounded so epic, so grand. Mr. Bernard Foccroulle, you are a genius, sir.
I’m not entirely sure whether I’m watching a lineman finish blocks for a good college football team or playing literally any eight-bit video game space level.
4
Travon Walker, EDGE -- Georgia
Excuse me. I didn’t sign up for workout music here. I reserve that for the agonizing runs I push myself through.
Donnell Mase — Back in California
No faults with this one. The music fits Walker’s top-tier ability. Professionally done with professional production value. Honestly, it’s kind of like when you’re browsing a Madden menu and that’s great! The first real winner.
5
Malik Willis, QB -- Liberty
I was about to make a silly joke but then I watched Willis rip 40-yard laser after 40-yard laser. I think he’s one of those players who can transcend past bombastic music. Professional quarterback? We’ll see!
Joss Austin Feat. Sean Kingston — Vision; Telenn Tri — Cup of Tea/Ships Are Sailing
Oh my goodness. Willis is so cool, he got me to find out Sean Kingston is still making music. And there are Michael Vick Virginia Tech highlights? Man, looks I got Taken There.
6
Kenny Pickett, QB -- Pittsburgh
Deva Premal — Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Why is it that the quarterbacks are the only ones who have their careers highlighted by epic-core music? I feel like I’m in high school again, standing in line during pre-game warm-ups while listening to this.
Bank Account (The GP Remix)
Are we referencing the Brinks truck of money Pickett’s about to get? I suppose the song at least somewhat fits the subject then.
7
Ikem Ekwonu, OT -- NC State
8
Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, CB -- Cincinnati
Skylar Grey Feat. Polo G. Mozzy & Eminem — Last One Standing
This is a full highlight video from the Bearcats’ season, but if I have to shoehorn in the entire 2021 Bearcats’ squad to get a cameo from Gardner, I’ll do it.
That said, look at these lyrics:
Now you see me standin’ in the lights
But you never saw my sacrifice
Or all the nights I had to struggle to survive
Had to lose it all to win the fight
I had to fall so many times (oh-oh-oh)
Now I’m the last one standin’
With all due respect to Gardner — who is an awesome lockdown corner — talk about being on the nose.
9
Chris Olave, WR -- Ohio State
Black Caviar and Blackway — What’s Up Danger
When I think of this song, I see an animated Miles Morales jumping off a building in slo-mo.
Now? It might be Chris Olave juking past a defender with an inch of his space. This gives me a clearer picture of his NFL future. Huh, some of these are better than I thought.
Juice WRLD, Seezyn — Hide
It’s decided. Olave is Spider-Man and he’s coming of age. Give me an origin story, STAT.
