Lane College EDGE Andrew Farmer was a standout performer at this year’s HBCU Combine. Farmer ran a blazing 4.72 40-yard dash and leaped a 38-inch vertical. Farmer met with various franchises throughout the process that possess a draftable grade on him. Farmer, who combines first-step explosiveness with power, recorded 17.5 sacks across his final two campaigns.

Farmer recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his experience at the HBCU Combine, his pass-rush arsenal, debunking the small-school narrative, and more. Farmer is a day-three sleeper.

JM: You attended this year’s HBCU Combine where you ran a 4.72 in the 40-yard dash, which is an excellent time for your size. You also leaped a 38-inch vertical. What was the experience like?

Andrew Farmer: It was awesome. It feels like such a blessing. I believe this was just the second year of the HBCU Combine. It gave me an opportunity to showcase my athleticism in front of NFL teams. A lot of great players that came before me didn’t get that opportunity.

It was either the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis or nothing for us. I’m thankful that the odds are beginning to shift in our favor a little bit. Showcasing my athletic skills out there was awesome.

JM: What do you think you proved to general managers and scouts in attendance?

Andrew Farmer: I heard some cheers and some “damn’s!” as I was going through my testing (laughs). I feel like I impressed a lot of people. That same night, I interviewed with 14 different NFL teams. I spent four-and-a-half hours interviewing with NFL teams. I feel like I shocked and impressed a lot of scouts and general managers.

The meetings were fairly similar. Teams wanted to get to know me. They asked about my family background and whatnot. I found most questions to be rather straightforward. Some teams dug a little deeper.

The best thing to do is to just be truthful. If a scout is asking you a question, there’s a decent chance they already know the answer to that question. I was truthful through everything. I didn’t stress out about it too much. They’re human beings just like I am.

.@LaneAthletics Andrew Farmer had a really good showing at the HBCU Combine. Farmer ran a 4.72, 38-inch Vert, 9-10 broad, and has spoken with 14 teams, per source.

Patriots, Chargers, Browns, Commanders, Lions, Panthers, NYG, Titans, Bears, Raiders, Jags, Steelers and Falcons. https://t.co/Jgxidxm5dJ

— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) February 21, 2023

JM: How would you describe your pass-rush arsenal? What are some of your go-to moves?

Andrew Farmer: I’m very athletic. I’m a faster guy. The speed rush is my bread and butter. I can threaten with speed both inside and outside. It really depends on what the tackle is giving me. I can swipe inside or outside.

I’m about 252, 255 pounds right now. I have some power to my game too, though. You have to respect the power. When an offensive tackle expects speed, which they often do with me, I can get them off-balance with the power. I try to mix speed with power. I throw that bull rush in there.

JM: I love watching you rush the passer on tape. If you could sit down and pick the brain of any pass rusher in today’s NFL, who would you choose and why?

Andrew Farmer: Just one? It would have to be Von Miller. Even though he’s older now, he’s still playing the game at such a high level. Unfortunately, he got injured last season, but he was playing at that same level we’ve come to expect of him before his injury.

He’s one of the best to ever do it. I’d love to pick his brain. That would be an awesome opportunity for me.

JM: He’s one of the GOATs. Having played at an HBCU like Lane College, people are going to refer to you as a “small school” prospect. You’re going to face those competition questions. How do you typically respond?

Andrew Farmer: If anybody asks me about competition level, I told scouts to watch two specific games. We played two D-I teams. One of those offensive tackles was at the Shrine Bowl with me. The other tackle got invited to the combine. Go watch those guys who are supposedly high-caliber players. Watch me play against them. Look what I did to them.

Go watch those two games if you have questions about competition level. I also competed in this year’s Hula Bowl. There were a ton of Power 5 guys in attendance. I feel like I’ve proven myself along the way. I took advantage of my opportunities to compete against higher-level competition. I didn’t just dominate against smaller schools. I dominated against bigger schools and bigger names, too.

JM: I love that answer. We’ve appreciated your time today. Why should a team use a draft pick on Andrew Farmer?

Andrew Farmer: I know I’m viewed as a small-school guy. We had to get everything we have out of the mud, as we say. I had to do whatever I had to do to win. I feel like I bring that mentality to any team. I can play special teams. I can rush the passer. I can set the edge in the run game. Damn, I don’t care if they want me to play cornerback (laughs). I’ll do that too.

Whatever a team needs, I’m going to do it for them.