INDIANAPOLIS — Kayvon Thibodeaux put plenty of effort into reminding reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday that he’s from South Central Los Angeles.

That effort ironically proved why there shouldn’t be questions about Thibodeaux’s effort on the football field.

“I’m an L.A. kid and if you know the adversity I went through to get here, and the things that I had to sacrifice, and the things my mother had to sacrifice for me to be here, you’d really understand how I feel in my heart,” Thibodeaux said after being asked if he had to convince NFL teams that he loves football during interviews this week.

The dominant Oregon edge rusher is a man of many interests, but some draft pundits are knocking him for that in the lead up to the 2022 NFL Draft. Thibodeaux loves football, but he also loves the other professions he’s been exposed to on his football path.

It takes effort to have business plans and study journalism while being a student-athlete. It takes effort to build a brand and it deserves admiration to put that much effort into many areas – opportunities that are rare for inner-city minorities from Los Angeles.

So, yeah, Thibodeaux became curious and took advantage of the opportunities he had at Oregon and Oaks Christian High School. But before attending the private prep school, Thibodeaux starred at Dorsey High in his hometown of South Central Los Angeles, the place he mentioned multiple times during his combine news conference.

“When you talk about fire, when you talk about passion, I think you can’t really explain it,” Thibodeaux said. “I get emotional thinking about it, because all the sacrifices it took for me to get here, I wouldn’t have made those sacrifices if I didn’t love the game. I’m blessed to be here and I’m just happy that these teams want to talk to me and they want to get to know me.”

The NFL teams that own a top-10 pick and got a chance to meet Thibodeaux this week are the really happy ones.

For all the discussion about Thibodeaux’s football efforts, it would be shocking if he’s available after the 10th overall pick in April’s draft. And perhaps those discussions are why Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson has become the No. 1 edge rushing prospect, and not Thibodeaux, according to most mock drafts.

This story about a talented draft prospect from Oregon with off-the-field concerns sounds familiar. Many questioned whether quarterback Justin Herbert had enough leadership qualities to guide an NFL franchise, but that ended up working out well for the Chargers.

“He’s obviously going to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and it was a blessing playing with him,” Thibodeaux said of Herbert.

Thibodeaux had his spotty plays at Oregon, just like Herbert, but his size and athleticism give him – and the NFL team that takes a chance on him – high upside. He could be the next Von Miller, his favorite player growing up, or he could be another Jadeveon Clowney, a former No. 1 overall pick who probably never reached his highest potential.

Clowney, however, has had a productive NFL career and that’s not a bad floor for Thibodeaux’s career projections.

Thibodeaux spoke with confidence Friday, but he did it in a gentle way until he was asked about his love for football. He displayed the passion and ferocity the draft pundits have been waiting to see since he ended his junior season at Oregon.

That was a glimpse of Thibodeaux’s upside and intensity, but he often mentioned that he studies the NFL’s best pass rushers to evolve and improve his game. And he’s a quick learner, which is evident from his impressive chess skills.

“I’m not the fastest guy, so when you realize that, just like Von Miller, you have to figure out what’s gonna give you that edge, and for me, my mind is what gives me that edge,” Thibodeaux said. “I’m a chess player, so I’m thinking moves ahead. How can I set the game and dictate what the offensive tackle does, so I can get what I want out of the situation?”

Thibodeaux was several moves ahead when he explored business ventures at Oregon, while also having competitive practices against former college teammate Penei Sewell, the Detroit Lions’ standout offensive tackle. Thibodeaux seeks opportunities and he seeks to be the best at everything he does.

“Von Miller, obviously,” Thibodeaux said about emulating the Rams’ star outside linebacker. “Growing up, YouTube was a thing, so he has this clip of all 100 sacks of his and I steal it. You talk about moving with the ball and not on the ball. DeMarcus Ware taught me a lot about that, too. Going through high school, Willie McGinest and I had a lot of influences being in L.A. A lot of guys who I either watched on YouTube or I was able to meet and talk to through high school.”

Thibodeaux will look to end the silly notion that he’s not passionate about football when he participates in the combine workouts on Saturday. But he probably doesn’t need to do that because he’ll likely hear his name called early in the draft, regardless.

The New York teams, the Giants and Jets, own top-10 picks and they’re interested in drafting Thibodeaux.

“We had a great interview,” Thibodeaux said about the Giants. “They were kinda on me, they were giving me a hard time, but I feel like it was like that big brother moment where they give you a hard time because they’re interested in you and they like you. So, for me, just showing them that I’m a guy. I grew up in a big city, so a big city is nothing new to me.”

There goes Thibodeaux again, proving a point by mentioning where he’s from.

Kayvon Thibodeaux on former Oregon teammate Justin Herbert: “He’s obviously going to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.” #Chargers pic.twitter.com/Eq4kln5Etn

— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) March 4, 2022

Kayvon Thibodeaux says he wants to show NFL teams he’s a student of the game, responds to the week’s criticism about his motor and in-game effort pic.twitter.com/PNLgAVv19V

— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) March 4, 2022