The NFL rookie minicamp experience is viewed differently amongst all participating players. The unpredictable nature of learning new surroundings, teammates, and coaches can be a lot for some players making the immediate transition from college.
Chiefs draft pick Keondre Coburn showcased plenty of ability during his tenure with the Texas Longhorns. He was selected in the sixth round to provide much-needed depth on the interior defensive line in Kansas City.
With a newborn at home, Coburn has plenty of motivation to succeed as he hits the ground running at rookie minicamp.
“Man, (my) family’s amazing,” said Coburn. “My daughter is perfect. Every day I see her, I just – she looks like me a little more every day, and it’s just (a) blessing. It’s my first time having a child, and I’m just enjoying every moment I can. She’s doing very good. Mom’s doing very good too. (She’s) healing very right. So, I’m just blessed, yeah.”
Understandably, Coburn has bigger things happening off the field, but he hasn’t lost his drive or focus. Asked about what he’s looking to get out of rookie minicamp, Coburn said he’s working to shake some of the nerves. He wants to put his best foot forward in a situation that is equally as new to him as being a father.
“Yeah! I mean, I wanted to get the little nervousness out the room right now,” said Coburn. “I’ve never been out here. (I’ve) never been to the stadium, never been to the facility, things like that, so just kind of getting used to it. Like getting my mind ready to waking up here, working out here, running here, drinking (hydrating) here, eating here, things like that. So, it kind of felt good being here.
“It feels good being here right now, so then also knowing the playbook, getting a little head start right now. Especially because I’m a rookie, I don’t know nothing that’s here right now. Just learning the playbook, meeting the coaches, (and) meeting really all the staff around this amazing facility (and) things like that.”
Coburn was a second-team all-conference selection in 2022, starting 12 of 13 games played and finishing with 28 tackles, three for loss & 1.5 sacks. The Chiefs are banking on those stats and more untapped potential to translate in the NFL.
