Billy Price doesn't want anyone worried or concerned about his pectoral injury suffered at the combine.
Price was unable to participate in Ohio State's Pro Day on Thursday after suffering an incomplete pectoral tear while benching at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on March 1, but was in attendance to meet with NFL teams in Columbus and speak with the media after the workouts.
The now-former Ohio State center is already making progress after undergoing surgery to repair the injury, and said Thursday that the stitches have already been removed. Still in a sling, Price added he has been working with an OSU trainer during his rehab in Columbus and should be back to full strength by June.
Until then, Price said he isn't at all concerned about the injury and hopes the setback won't drop him too far down NFL draft boards.
"It's not going to be an issue. I should be good by June, full strength again and choking dudes out by the time training camp comes," Price said.
"You hope it doesn't impact it," Price continued when asked about the injury impacting his draft stock. "All I can do right now is sit down with teams and explain the mental side of things. So show my mental capacity, show what I can do, and how much information I can process."
Billy Price was forced to watch from the sidelines during Ohio State's Pro Day on Thursday, as he recovers from an incomplete torn pectoral injury suffered at the NFL Combine.
Price said he is set for return trips to both New York and Indianapolis before the draft, first to meet with the doctor who performed his surgery and then back to the location of the combine to get reevaluated by NFL teams.
The former Buckeye is being evaluated as both a center and guard ahead of the draft, and said it would mean a lot to him if he was selected in the first round of the NFL draft.
"I've heard both," Price said when asked about which position he could be drafted for. "I think it's an opportunity that shows my flexibility and versatility to go into a franchise and be able to play at a very high level at guard or play at a very high level at center.
"You're going to get your name put up (in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center) with the first rounders from this prestigious university," Price continued when asked about the possibility of being a top-32 pick. "It means something, (but) I don't have any control over that unfortunately."
Price is considered a late first to early second round pick in the upcoming NFL draft, which is set to open April 26 in Dallas.
