INDIANAPOLIS —Wide receiver Parris Campbell, the Indianapolis Colts' second-round (59th-overall) pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, held his first media conference call on Friday night. What did he have to say about his game?
Were you surprised when Indianapolis made the call for you? What have your interactions been like with them through the draft process?
"I honestly was not surprised. I was talking to them, I had meetings with them at the combine, talked to them throughout the rest of the process and just going back and forth with my agent. I was kind of hearing that it would be the Colts that would pull the trigger. So I wasn't really surprised."
What do you think of the fit for you in this offense?
"I see a wonderful fit. Just being able to come in and impact this offense I think immediately. With a guy like Andrew Luck who can toss the ball all around the field, he is one of the greats in the NFL, I think it couldn't be a more perfect fit."
Being in Columbus, Ohio nearby and so close I am sure you had thoughts on what the team did last year.
"I think it was great. Definitely in the right direction. I am excited. I am really at a loss for words right now. I am just ready to get to work."
Frank Reich likes to move people around the formation and use guys in different ways. Is that something you are used to from Ohio State?
"Oh yes, for sure. I played multiple positions at Ohio State. I found my home at H-back/slot receiver, but I was able to go outside, inside even take handoffs in the backfield. It's definitely something I am used to."
What was your initial reaction when you found out you were going to be playing in this offense?
"Honestly, it was just a blessing from God. My initial reaction was just a perfect fit. It was already written from the jump, this isn't a surprise to anyone, it was already written. I am just excited."
What were the conversations like when you talked to the offensive coaches? What was the substance of those conversations?
"They obviously liked what I brought to the table with having the speed and just doing the things I did at Ohio State. Honestly, just being a perfect fit with all the stuff, the intermediate stuff I need to do and just kind of coming around and my ability just being a perfect match for their offense. Just throughout the process it was just kind of speaking it would be a great fit."
Did you make a pre-draft visit here?
"I did not, but I did a FaceTime call, actually right before the deadline of the visits ended."
Did you initially go to Ohio State to run track and play football or just run track?
"Actually that was an idea at first. Nothing was set, but it was an initial idea at first."
To do both?
"Yeah, to do both."
But you elected to just do football?
"Yeah, it was just coming in, I was making the transition from running back to receiver so it was just a lot on my plate at the time, especially with school as well. Just decided to stay the football route."
This offense could have a lot of diversity in the targets for Andrew Luck. How do you think that works together to be an advantage for an offense?
"I think it gives us multiple weapons. I think it's going to make defenses think a lot. They are going to have to prepare the right way when they face us because we have so many weapons. So I think it is definitely going to be to our advantage just having so many different types of options for us. I think in the end it's going to make us better."
Where are you watching the draft?
"Actually in Columbus, Ohio. I rented an Airbnb out so all my family could come hang out."
We saw Malik Hooker gave you a shout out on twitter. Do you already have a relationship with him and Tyquan Lewis?
"Oh yeah. Me and Malik (Hooker) were in the same class coming into college and then Tyquan (Lewis) was already there, he was a year ahead of me. But I really have a great relationship with those guys and it just makes me that much more comfortable going to Indianapolis having those guys there for me."
You have had a pretty good few months at Lucas Oil Stadium recently, haven't you?
"Oh yeah, for sure. We like to call that our second home coming from O State (laughs)."
