When Claude Wroten saw the flashing lights in his rearview mirror on Jan. 5, he knew he was in trouble. The chance to play in the NFL was about to slip from the hands of the large defensive tackle whom scouts said had a bright future ahead of him.
Wroten was expected to be drafted high in the first round, the 20th pick according to draft analyst Mike Detillier. But on that night, his options looked bleak.
Wroten was stopped for speeding 77 mph in a 65-mph zone in Sterlington, a minor offense. He admitted to possession of 24.5 grams of marijuana and more than $3,000 in cash and was arrested for possession of an illegal substance with intent to sell.
“He was very cooperative,” said Sterlington Police Chief Barry Bonner.
“As a matter of fact, the officer said he was very respectful, didn’t get cross not one time, not upset. He said he was sorry. He said, ‘Man, I done messed up.'”
While the charges against Wroten were dropped, he faced major damage control on his bruised image. And like the night he was arrested, he said he has been open with anyone who has asked.
He did not work out at the NFL Combines, instead concentrating on interviews to get his story straight with coaches. He openly admitted he had used marijuana. When coaches questioned his character and dedication, he assured them he was finished getting in trouble.
“I mean, I told them what kind of guy I’d be,” Wroten said. “I’m an honest guy. I feel no reason to hide anything, and I’m going to be straightforward.”
Wroten even sent a letter to all 32 NFL teams expressing regret for his mistakes and hopes for his future. He told head decision makers in the letter he made a mistake but was not a risk.
He said coaches have embraced his honesty and some have shown a willingness to work with him.
“I did my damage control,” Wroten said. “Everybody makes mistakes. It was a mistake I made that night. Being open and honest, they were like ‘OK, this guy’s changed.’ But they know I still can be a great player in the NFL.”
Detillier said regardless of his honesty, the arrest will hurt Wroten.
“He will drop to the early-to-mid part of the second round,” Detillier said. “At one point I was convinced he would be the first LSU player picked. He’s lost millions of dollars in this move, no question. It really brings up his judgment issue.”
Wroten’s agent Joel Siegal said his client most likely would not be drafted in the first round, but he has done everything he can to help Wroten’s status.
Siegal said Wroten told him he wanted to own up to his mistake.
“In my opinion – and over the years I’ve represented quite a few players – young guys make mistakes,” Siegal said. “The next perfect guy I meet will be the first perfect guy. I’ve told all the teams that Claude is an extremely high character guy. He’s worth being picked according to his abilities.”
Wroten agreed with his manager’s assessment of his performance and said NFL coaches were impressed with his workouts.
But when compared to Miami running back Ricky Williams, who was suspended for the 2006-2007 season because of positive drug tests, Wroten said he did not identify with the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner.
“First of all, my case is not the same,” Wroten said. “Ricky Williams, he has a drug problem. He’s an addict. That’s not me at all. I made a mistake that night. I don’t use marijuana all the time.”
 
Contact Krysten Oliphant at koliphant@lsureveille.com