Christine Michael Wows on the Field, Knucklehead off It at the Combine

Texas A&M running back Christine Michael entered the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine with the reputation of a player that's very talented on the field and something of a chowderhead off of it.

Michael did very little in Indianapolis to change either of those views.

Michael, who spent most of a star-crossed career in College Station either rehabbing from injury or firmly in coach Kevin Sumlin's doghouse, was badly in need of a strong offseason leading up to the 2013 NFL draft.

The 5'10" 220-pounder got things off on the right foot at last month's East-West Shrine Game, where he led all rushers.

Then Michael arrived at the combine, and according to NFL.com it appeared that his workouts went about as well as he possibly could have hoped.

Drill		Rank
Bench Press	27 Reps	4th
40-Yard Dash	4.54 seconds	10th
Vertical Jump	43”	1st
Broad Jump	10’5”	2nd
Cone Drill	6.69 seconds	1st
20-Yard Shuttle	4.02 seconds	1st
60-Yard Shuttle	11.56 seconds	6th

Michael's 43-inch vertical leap was the highest ever recorded by a running back at the combine, and the youngster's performance in the workouts opened quite a few eyes.

Unfortunately, it turns out that the eyes Michael had the most trouble opening were his own.

For a player that had as much rehabbing of his image to do as Michael did, to squander the momentum he built in workouts by oversleeping and missing vital interviews with prospective suitors says a lot about Michael's maturity level.

And none of it is good.

Mind you, this is a player that said he had put the grousing and off the field issues behind him. Michael's playing time was cut drastically in his senior season as he clashed with Sumlin, including being suspended for the team's win over SMU.

However, Michael recently told Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express that he's learned from the 2012 season, calling Sumlin a "real good friend" and stating that he was working hard to show NFL teams that he was well worth a look come draft day.

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“That's the thing — you live and you learn,” Michael said.

“We had a whole new coaching staff, a whole new offense. It got shaky for me,” Michael said. “I went into my own tunnel and got a little stubborn and was just in my own world. ... It was just frustrating for me not to get as many carries and not to be that No. 1 guy in that offense.”

“As someone that is consistently working hard, the second round (is possible), but I train to be a first-rounder,” he said. “There are a lot of guys out there who are great. You have Eddie Lacy, Montee Ball, Marcus Lattimore. But my work ethic is incredible. You tell me, when was the last time you saw a collegiate running back that has broke their leg one year, came back stronger, then tore their ACL and came back stronger? Everything happens for a reason,” Michael said. “I'm a better player and person.”

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At least part of what Michael said can't really be disputed. After breaking his leg in 2010 and tearing his ACL in 2011, Michael has seemingly returned to the field even stronger than ever, at least if his showing in Indy is any indication.

However, what at least two teams will take away from the combine is the same opinion that they had going in. That Christine Michael is a talented but very immature young man who is a risk in April's draft.

After wowing scouts in workouts the combine could have served as just the sort of wake-up call that Michael's NFL career needed.

That is, right up until he overslept.