Prospective NFL defensive backs have to demonstrate a myriad of qualities before they are given a chance to make the transition from college football.

If the media interviews conducted at the NFL Scouting Combine are any indication, the league's coaches, scouts and personnel types can go ahead and assume this year's crop already has "confidence" covered.

"I said I was the best corner in college football and I had to live up to that," Florida cornerback Vernon Hargraves maintained. "I feel like I did and my confidence is extremely high. It always has been.

"I never doubt myself."

There was a lot of that going around in Indianapolis.

"At the end of the day I'm going to say it and a lot of guys will say it I'm the best corner in this draft," Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander insisted. "If you look at stats, my numbers, who I am as a person, who I'm competing against; I went against the best receivers in the country. I went against more of the top receivers than anybody in this draft class, and I'm going step for step. I'm not just moving outside, I'm going inside, I'm playing zone, I'm able to blitz, I'm able to show my versatility, everything.

"I'm ready to compete with anybody. There's nobody more dedicated than me, who's put more time in and who's more of a competitor than me. I'm telling you I'm the best corner in this draft class."

Florida State cornerback/safety Jalen Ramsey arrived at the combine intending to establish his status as the top player available regardless of position.

"Most definitely, that's what I'm going for," he said.

Boise State safety Darian Thompson made sure he let teams know what they would be getting in the event they drafted him.

"They're getting an extremely smart football player, a leader, someone that's going to go in Day One ready to play," he said.

Temple cornerback Tavon Young thought wearing No. 1 in college had already let NFL teams know what kind of player they'd be getting.

"It means I was one of the toughest guys on the team," he said.

Young also said NFL teams wanted to know how he intended to compete at 5-foot-9 and 183 pounds.

"Because of my size, they want to know how I can play at the next level or what makes me a good corner," Young said. "And I always tell them I have the confidence and I am fearless and I never back down from anybody.

"I know I can play with anybody out there."

Duke safety Jeremy Cash's confidence extends beyond his ability to merely play the game.

"Once I become non-useful to these NFL teams I intend to go join the FBI," Cash announced. "The aspects of the adrenalin, it's somewhat similar to being on an NFL team. You have a bunch of guys coming together to formulate a team and accomplish a goal.

"You have people coming together from different backgrounds to protect our borders."

Now that's confidence.