AUBURN | Montravius Adams is a little over a month away from realizing a dream he’s had since he first strapped on a helmet as a seven-year old rec league player.

The former Auburn player projects as a one of the top defensive tackle in the 2017 NFL Draft.

“It means a lot to me,” Adams said. “I told my mama from the age of seven that this would happen and now just, her saying it and me saying it, it’s just a blessing. I’m just grateful to be in this position.”

Adams had the same opportunity a year ago but elected to return to Auburn for his senior season. It’s a move that should pay big dividends.

“Adams was the most explosive of the defensive linemen at the Senior Bowl. A really good season on tape this past year,” ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. “Two years ago, the effort was not there so a little bit of a concern with him. That’s why I think he falls to the Day Two range.”

McShay ranks Adams among the best four three-technique defensive tackles in the draft along with Michigan State’s Malik McDowell, Florida’s Caleb Brantley and Iowa’s Jaleel Johnson. He projects McDowell as a first-round pick and Brantley, Johnson and Adams to go within the second or third round.

In addition to his strong play at the Senior Bowl, Adams ran a 4.87 40-yard dash, had a 29-inch vertical leap and did 22 reps of 225 pounds at the NFL Combine.

At Auburn’s Pro Day, he measured 6-foot-3 1/2 and 304 pounds and ran a 4.83 40.

“I feel like I helped myself tremendously,” Adams said. “Me just getting up and going to work every day, I’m trying to be the best I can be. As long as I keep doing that, I think I’ll be good.”

Adams gave a lot of credit to Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner for pushing him to reach his potential as a senior.

“I don’t feel like I could have got any more preparation, especially with me being with coach G for four years,” Adams said. “It makes a lot of stuff just easy. Being here I feel like I’ve been through a lot of adversity so the little stuff that they try to get to me with I don’t feel like it affects me more than it would affect some people.”

The 2017 NFL Draft will be held April 27-29 in Philadelphia.