PODCAST: Jace Amaro with Armen and Levack on 104.5 The Team

Texas Tech’s Jace Amaro left after his junior year and with the NFL draft coming up this Thursday night, he expects to hear his name before the second round.

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“If I knew I wasn’t going to be a first round draft pick, I would still be in college right now,” said Amaro, with Armen and Levack on 104.5 The Team. “For me, it’s Thursday or there’s going to be a chip on my shoulder.”

When it comes to the tight end position, Amaro feels like his name should be at the top of a team’s wish list.

“I feel like I’m the best prospect, especially at the tight end position.

“I played at 270 pounds last year, playing at a receiver position almost the entire season. I feel like I’m a receiver and a tight end. That’s the biggest thing that I bring to this draft, I’m so versatile that I can play inside, outside, the slot and in the backfield too.”

Most Mock Drafts have UNC’s Eric Ebron listed above Amaro.

"I feel like I run a lot better routes than [Ebron]", said Amaro. "I feel like that’s my best aspect, running routes, and knowing how to manipulate a defender where I want him to go before I break on my routes. I feel like that’s something I’ve been taught from the Texas Tech system."

Amaro also pointed out that he’s more than 20-pounds heavier than Ebron, listed at 250-pounds.

Last year, Amaro set an FBS record with 1,352 receiving yards in 106 catches, along with seven touchdowns. He credits watching NFL film before his junior season with Tech coach Eric Morris as a big part of his success.

“We sat down and watched a lot of Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham and Antonio Gates. Those are the guys I tried to mold myself into. I feel like I take a little bit of the skill set of each player.”

Amaro says Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury is someone who has helped him every step of the way.

“We talk almost every single day. He’s like an older brother to me. He’s a great friend of mine and we just get along so well. He’s brought me through the process really well and has helped me understand that everything is not going to happen the way you want it to, you just have to keep going and make sure you never stop.”

The Amaro family will be watching the first round of the draft from a suite at the San Antonio Spurs playoff game on Thursday night.

104.5 The Team ESPN Radio’s coverage of the NFL Draft begins Thursday night at 7 o’clock, LIVE from Radio City Music Hall.

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