Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux is more than the next potential No. 1 NFL draft pick

KAYVON THIBODEAUX SAT in Mario Cristobal's office on a recruiting visit, searching for answers.

As the No. 1 prospect in the country, he was trying to wade through the thousands of text messages and recruiting pitches from coaches hoping to persuade him to attend their schools.

But Thibodeaux was tired of coaches telling him how they could win a championship together, or how they could help him reach the NFL. He told Cristobal he wanted to go in a different direction. What can Oregon do for Thibodeaux off the field? How can he make a difference in the community? How supportive would Cristobal be in Thibodeaux exploring his interests outside of football?

"I remember looking at him thinking,…