ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — When McTelvin Agim got the call from John Elway, he was in his car. It had been a long night, and as it dragged on, he walked to his car for a moment alone.
He sat in the seat, not intending to go anywhere, and now he'll be going far away to begin his professional football career for the man he watched win Super Bowls in classic games on NFL Network.
"Just being able to hear John Elway, somebody I've been able to watch all of those times on NFL Network," Agim said Friday, "just watching him go and win games, watching the Super Bowl wins he has and watching the picks he's been picking — just to be one of those picks, it means so much to me because I feel like he believes in me and that's something I greatly appreciate."
Agim, the Arkansas Razorbacks' leader in sacks in 2019, totaled 9.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss over his final two seasons. After his senior season, he earned bids to the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl, where he was a standout prospect because of his pass-rush skills.
Head Coach Vic Fangio said Friday that they view Agim as a player with the potential to grow and become a contributor.
"He'll just start off being one of the guys there and we'll see how he develops and where exactly he could fit in," Fangio said. "He's a guy that needs developing; he's not a complete player at this point, obviously. But we do like some of the tools that he has and some of the potential that he has. Hopefully we can develop him into being a guy that can compete to make our team and, if he does, contribute."
In reflecting on his skills and weaknesses as he enters the NFL, Agim acknowledged that he needs to take what he does well with his technique and become a more consistent player.
"Best, I feel like just getting off the ball, working my hands, being able to make moves and adjust in pass-rush, being able to hold the blocks," Agim said. "The thing that I … feel like I have to improve on the most is just being more consistent, because I've been able to do everything, but I need to be able to make sure I can do it on a consistent basis."
In the interim, Agim said he looks forward to joining a talented defensive unit that features great players like Von Miller and Jurrell Casey.
"Being able to learn from Jurrell Casey, you have other guys, just all of those guys, All-Pro legends, future Hall of Famers, I'm able to sit there and learn under them," Agim said. "It's going to be a blessing.
"Just being able to learn under all of those All-Pro, future Hall of Famers, I'm just going to try to soak it in and be appreciative of the opportunity."
Take a look back through the collegiate career of former Arkansas DL McTelvin Agim, a third-round pick for the Denver Broncos.
Arkansas' McTelvin Agim smiles as he runs out with the team before the start of an NCAA college football game against Alabama Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 in Fayetteville, Ark. Alabama beat Arkansas 49-30. (AP Photo/Samantha Baker)
TCU running back Kyle Hicks (21) is tackled by Arkansas defender McTelvin Agim as he runs the ball in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
New Mexico State quarterback Tyler Rogers, left, is sacked by Arkansas defender McTelvin Agim during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Sept. 30 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst (81) runs with the ball against Arkansas defensive lineman McTelvin Agim (3) and Dre Greenlaw (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Arkansas defender McTelvin Agim tackles Mississippi State receiver Jesse Jackson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas defender McTelvin Agim strips the ball from Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. gets past Arkansas defensive lineman McTelvin Agim to score a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas defender McTelvin Agim (3) pushes past Tulsa lineman Chris Paul, left, to pressure quarterback Seth Boomer in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas defensive lineman McTelvin Agim speaks to reporters during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Wednesday, July 17, 2019, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Arkansas defender McTelvin Agim reacts after a big play against Portland State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas defender McTelvin Agim reacts after making a big play against Portland State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas defensive lineman McTelvin Agim gets ready to run a play against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas defensive lineman McTelvin Agim gets ready to run a play against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) tries to get away from Arkansas defensive lineman McTelvin Agim (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
North defensive lineman McTelvin Agim of Arkansas (91) rushes the quarterback during the second half of the Senior Bowl college football game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Arkansas defensive lineman Mctelvin Agim does the bench press at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for NFL)
Arkansas defensive lineman McTelvin Agim runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
