By Michael Stets
ALLEN PARK — The Lions closed out Day 3 of the 2018 NFL Draft by selecting San Diego St. fullback Nick Bawden with pick No. 237 in the seventh round.
Bawden, 21, began his college career as a quarterback before transitioning to fullback after his freshman season for the Aztecs.
“It was definitely something that I wasn’t open to at first,” said Bawden, speaking in a conference call with Detroit media. “I had no idea that I had it in me to be able to play fullback because I knew how hard of a position it was. I knew how tough you had to be and everything that goes along with that. At first I really didn’t believe that I could do it, but I wanted to stay in San Diego. I loved our coaches. I loved everything that we were going toward, so I was willing to give it a chance. That definitely gave me an opportunity to be where I am today, talking to you as a Detroit Lion, which I am so excited about. It’s an incredible opportunity.”
Bawden, a native of Los Gatos, Calif., started 12 games for the Aztecs in his senior season, paving the way for running back Rashad Penny, who led the NCAA in rushing in 2017, and was drafted No.27 overall by the Seattle Seahawks. The six-foot-five 245-pound Bawden said he “Had a great meeting” with Lions GM Bob Quinn and running back coach David Walker at the Senior Bowl in February, and said that “everything went great.”
But when a player gets taken in the seventh round of the draft, it can be a nerve wracking experience right up until his name is called because there is always the chance it may not get called at all.
Was Bawden nervous throughout the process?
“Yeah, I was absolutely nervous. I mean, it’s a life-changing experience being drafted, and even if you’re not drafted, just talking to coaches. I had a bunch of coaches calling me and saying that they wanted me in free agency. So, it’s an unreal experience. I had all my friends and family in town. I’m at one of our family friend’s house, so they threw a nice party for us. It was just a great experience being able to hear my name called and to know a little bit before that I was getting picked. I loved it. It was absolutely amazing. I was still anxious before though because it’s been such a long process waiting up for it. I’ve done everything I could, be in the best shape I can. So, I’m so ready to come to Detroit and get it done.”
The fullback position is nearly obsolete in the modern NFL. With Quinn drafting Bawden, it says something about he wants to turn around a rushing attack that finished dead last in 2017. Bawden said the Lions told him they want to get back to running the football successfully, and he’s happy to join the effort.
“I’m so glad they took me because that’s where my pride and joy is, it’s in my run blocking. So, I’m going to do absolutely everything I can to get it done and do everything they need me to do. Whether it’s playing fullback, H-back, tight end type role, I’m going to do everything they need me to do. So, I’m so excited to go there.”