LSU running back Derrius Guice's NFL draft slide ended Friday night.
After seeing six running backs selected before him, Guice – whom many analysts labeled as a first-round talent – was taken by the Washington Redskins with the 27th pick in the second round (No. 59 overall).
"We looked at the reports and talked to Derrius and Derrius's agent and got a pretty good indication that we felt good about taking Derrius at that position and we're lucky to get him, man," Redskins coach Jay Gruden told reporters. "This is a hard-nosed runner, plays hard, he can catch a football, he can pass protect, he's got good vision and (he's) a guy we really liked in the early rounds."
Speaking to reporters after he was selected, Guice denied a rumor that he had been an altercation when he visited the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaking to reporters after he was selected, Guice denied a rumor that he had been an altercation when he visited the Philadelphia Eagles.
"My trip to the Eagles was great. There wasn't an altercation when I went," Guice said. "It was great."
Guice also said he was taken aback by how the draft unfolded.
“It did surprise me because a lot of things came out of nowhere and weren't true, and I just didn't understand 'Why me?' out of all people because I'm great to everybody, I have a great personality and I just cannot understand why everything gets so hard with me out of everybody," Guice said. "Like I said again, I'm just thankful that this whole process is over with, that an organization believed in me and trusted in me. I'm just ready to get to work.”
Guice made headlines last month in an interview with SiriusXM when he said that in interviews with certain teams at the NFL scouting combine, they asked inappropriate questions about his sexuality and his mother’s professional life.
The NFL launched an investigation but later issued a statement that said it could not find any credible evidence of the questions taking place.
“The investigation did not confirm that any club made the reported inquiries,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said in an email to USA TODAY Sports. “Nonetheless, we used this opportunity to reaffirm our workplace standards and emphasize the importance of fully complying with all requirements of federal and state law. The NFL and each of its member clubs remain fully committed to fair and non-discriminatory employment practices.”
A person with knowledge of the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, told USA TODAY Sports’ A.J. Perez that in the league’s interviews with Guice, he gave a differing accounts of what took place.
Guice was present at the green room inside AT&T Stadium for the first round of the draft Thursday night, but did not return for Day 2 Friday.