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The word “instinct” is defined as a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency, according to Dictionary.com. Linda Steltz said her son, former LSU safety Craig Steltz, has had these natural impulses since he was 6 years old. “As a mother, you can see when your child is going to excel,” Linda Steltz said. “He always excelled at playground sports.” Craig Steltz hopes to parlay his instincts on the field into a successful professional career after this weekend’s NFL draft in New York. Steltz tied former linebacker Ali Highsmith for a team-high 101 tackles this past season. He tied for the Southeastern Conference lead with six interceptions and received consensus first-team All-American honors. NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier said Steltz will fit best with a team that plays zone coverage, which allows Steltz to “play center field” and rely on his instincts. “He’s not a safety for everybody,” Detillier said. “In a zone-cover defense, where he can rely on his instincts and his range, I think he’s a perfect fit.” Detillier compared Steltz to Denver Broncos’ safety John Lynch. “John was a terrific guy in the cover-2 defense with Tampa [Bay] for so many years,” Detillier said. “[Steltz] is a poor man’s John Lynch.” Detillier ranks Steltz sixth among strong safeties in this year’s NFL draft. He is ranked behind the likes of North Carolina State’s Dajuan Morgan and Notre Dame’s Tom Zbikowski. He said he expects Indianapolis to pick Steltz in the fourth round with the 127th pick. Steltz also thinks he will be drafted in the fourth round but has no idea what team will select him. “I’m sure I’ll be watching [on Saturday] to see what Tigers get chosen,” Steltz said. “Not that I’ll be expecting a phone call.” Craig Steltz said he is not nervous about the draft experience. “All the hay is in the barn,” Steltz said. “I’ll go to sleep Saturday or Sunday night knowing I’ve done everything possible to put me in the best situation.” Detillier said Steltz must improve his upper-body strength to battle bigger wide receivers and tight ends in the NFL. “With so many king-size receivers, it’s the physicality make-up that you really see more and more of in the NFL that maybe he hasn’t seen as much of at the college level,” Detillier said. Steltz had a mixed performance at LSU’s Pro Day on March 26. He managed 10 reps in the 225-pound bench press but ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash and reached 35 inches in the vertical jump – better than former wide receiver Early Doucet. Steltz said he is not concerned about recent injuries affecting his draft stock. He injured his left shoulder in the first quarter of the Bowl Championship Series National Championship game. “Everything’s healed; everything’s cleared, and I’ve got the go-ahead,” Steltz said. Linda Steltz said her son’s shoulder healed enough during offseason training to earn something out of the ordinary. “While he was in Pensacola [, Fla.,] training, he felt good enough to become certified as a SCUBA diver,” she said. Craig Steltz expects to be in Kenner with his family for the draft. “It won’t be a big party,” he said. “We haven’t decided on any plans yet.”
—Contact Robert Stewart at [email protected]