Noah Spence hype just won’t quit

Jan 28, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Dak Prescott of Mississippi State (15) avoids the pressure of defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Dak Prescott of Mississippi State (15) avoids the pressure of defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /
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Noah Spence has been an intriguing option to observe in the build up to the 2016 NFL Draft, including periods where it as advocated that the Jacksonville Jaguars should take him fifth overall.

It isn’t every day that a player with the massive red flags of Noah Spence is able to climb back into the conversation as one of the best players that deserves an exception. He isn’t Vontaze Burfict (who slid completely out of the draft) or Randy Gregory (who slid to round two), he’s something else entirely.

Getting kicked out of the Big 10 is the kind of penalty that raises eyebrows.

Fortunately, Spence has talent that raises even more eyebrows.

Without the off-field concerns, Noah Spence is a number one overall talent. He’s the kind of player that makes a difference on the football field.

And that’s what keeps him in the conversation so much more than guys like Gregory and Burfict. It’s what causes the hype to just keep going.

Even Spence seems at least moderately surprised, saying in an NFL.com highlight:

"I thought I’d have to come into the league as a fourth- or fifth-round pick, and then I’d have to fight to find a place on a roster. That’s where my head was at last year. That’s what I was getting ready for."

That NFL.com piece is called “The Ascent” and it’s a great example of how the hype never end and why. Seriously, go read it. It’s good.

Americans love underdogs. We love hard working success stories. The only thing better than overcoming truly evil enemies abroad is overcoming personal challenges to turn yourself into something better.

Spence could be that person. He has that level of talent to keep us interested in his story and his long climb from near-irrelevance to still being considered a top prospect is fascinating. It keeps us all interested.

As written by Brandon Sneed at Bleacher Report, “Noah Spence has a redemption story, if only he’d tell it.” All of us draft observers are keeping an eye on him and we’re eager to pen his redemption story, but it hasn’t taken hold yet.

And that mystery is appealing. That mystery keeps us coming back for more whenever news is reported about him, whenever he visits a team, whenever there’s a shift in the draft order.

For us Jacksonville Jaguars fans, Spence offers up redemption for the team as well. He has the ability to almost single-handedly solve the pass defense, providing steady pressure off the edge.

Next: 3 round Jags mock

Keep an eye on him as we near the draft. Keep an eye on how teams maneuver around him. Noah Spence hype isn’t going to die anytime soon and it’s a strong indication that he, almost more than anyone else, will impact the way the 2016 NFL Draft plays out for teams across the league.