The notion of bringing a player home to launch his NFL career in his hometown always brings a warm and fuzzy feeling. That could become a reality for Michigan State cornerback Justin Layne.
The Benedictine High School product turned in an impressive NFL Scouting Combine performance on Monday, running the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds, a good time for a nearly 6-foot-2 corner. His loose hips and quickness in changing directions in drills also looked great.
Now Layne is firmly in contention to be a second-round pick, and the Browns appear interested in adding another CB. Could the Browns bring Layne home?
The well-built corner was asked about returning home to Cleveland to live his NFL dream in his hometown.
“I think about it all the time,” Layne responded from his table during the combine media session. “My dad (is) a diehard Browns fan. He got the bathroom painted, the house, the basement painted Browns, everything. I’ve always kind of been a Browns fan growing up.”
Layne continued,
“We always used to watch the Browns game every Sunday. If I mentioned anything about the Steelers, he’d say ‘uh, yeah, we’re not having that.’ Like, everything. He’s a diehard.”
Pairing his productivity (72 tackles, 15 PDs in 2018) with fellow Clevelander Denzel Ward is an intriguing proposition for John Dorsey and his Browns staff to consider. It sure sounds like Layne would relish the opportunity.
