“It’s good he did that,’’ said a college scouting official from one AFC team. “But it was enough to scare people so that he fell through three rounds.’’
Attempts to reach Hernandez were unsuccessful and the Patriots didn’t respond immediately to calls from the Globe.
The Florida tight end passed his drug test at the combine, according to the executive, so he won’t start his NFL career in the league’s substance-abuse program. But because of his history, he is subject to more tests.
A source close to Hernandez said to his knowledge, the tight end failed just one drug test at Florida, in February 2008, but conceded the player’s marijuana use had been a problem and was the primary reason for his fall down the draft board.
The source added that the Patriots were aware of the circumstances.
The explanation Hernandez gave to teams in February was that his drug use stemmed from the 2006 death of his father, Dennis, who died of complications following hernia surgery while Hernandez was a junior at Bristol (Conn.) Central High.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the drug problem followed him to Gainesville, where he enrolled in 2007.
“It’s not like he failed one test,’’ said the AFC college scout. “He had repeated issues with it, to the point where you worry about whether he’ll be able to lay off the stuff at our level. To be honest, he’s super talented and, even with the issues, I’m surprised he fell as far he did.
“Depending on who you talk to, some people thought he was a late first- or early second-round prospect. Eventually, the risk was overcome by the value.’’
An SI.com report in March had many in the league concerned about the high level of marijuana use among prospects.
One unnamed NFL coach estimated that “one-third’’ of players on his draft board had some sort of history with marijuana use that required “an extra level of evaluation’’ as part of the scouting process.
“These kids, they don’t get it,’’ an AFC personnel director told the Globe. “[Hernandez] cost himself a lot of money.’’
