2010 NFL Combine: Texas Tech's Brandon Carter Leaves Facepaint Behind

You don't know Brandon Carter.

People think they know Brandon Carter. They see the tattoos, the face paint, the Mohawk, the general antics.

They peg Carter as a malcontent, a troublemaker. The Texas Tech guard has been labeled as "risky," a "gamble," and has "character issues."

But the young man took to the Combine podium on day one and really only one word could describe him: "respectful."

Honestly, that trait stuck out with many prospects today. Seniors who've spend years with college media types hovering over them or underclassmen with high powered agents, all of them have been trained to be polite at all times.

With Carter, his calm demeanor not only exceeded the others but also stuck out in sharp contrast from the Brandon Carter everyone thought they knew.

The media types are not the only ones with the misconception.

Carter told the group that each of the 32 teams has asked about his on-the-field persona.

"They think I have a questionable character from the image they receive from television," he said. "I think once they get to know me they realize I'm not a headcase."

Asked whether or not the face paint would make the trip to the next level with him, Carter was emphatic.

"Definitely not, that's in the past," he responded.

It was an answer that drew surprise and laughter. But what can be expected from a young man most of the crowd didn't even recognize. His hair is grown out, covering the tattoos. He grew it out for his mom, because she likes it that way.

Although, if a team is going to draft Carter, it isn't going to be about facepaint or lack thereof. It needs to be about talent.

That, Carter has in spades.

He is just another in a long line of Tech linemen including Manny Ramirez, Mike Gandy, Daniel Loper, and Louis Vasquez, all of whom have helped Carter in the draft process.

At Tech, Carter explains, the offense is so different, each linemen is three feet from one another. It makes every lineman like a tackle. No double teams. No help. Lots of space. Lots of footwork.

As for a transition, Carter claims to have been just fine at the East/West Shrine game. He was able to come out of a three point stance (which he prefers).

As for draft stock? Carter believes his will rise after his workout on day two of the NFL Combine. He is fighting with guards Mike Iupati, Jon Asamoah, and John Jerry to be among the top interior linemen selected.

If a team is looking to draft face paint and Mohawks, though, forget about Brandon Carter.

Maybe Adam Lambert is available.

Michael Schottey is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and Detroit Lions Team Correspondent for DraftTek.com. He is LIVE from Indianapolis this week with NFL Combine updates. Follow him at Twitter.