The phone call that determined the trajectory of Max Melton’s professional football career came 58 minutes after the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft officially kicked off. Flanked by his family and surrounded by dozens of close friends, former coaches and teammates — all decked out in all-black outfits, per Melton’s request — the former Rutgers star smiled and nodded as he listened to the voices on the other end of the phone.
“I’m doing good — a lot better now,” Melton told them. “Let’s get to work!”