Here's an interview with Noah Spence conducted by an OSU writer at Scout.com:
How are you handling the questions from teams about your past?
I’m just telling the truth. My whole story, it’s all out there. I’m just not holding anything back, you know?
What is your story?
I failed two drug tests and they got me suspended.
Were both failed test for Ecstasy?
Yeah.
Are you tired of answering those questions?
I knew it was coming. I’m not tired of answering them. I’m used to it.
Is the hardest part of this convincing teams you are telling the truth and this is behind you?
No. I feel like it’s all out there.
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For sure. With anybody with a substance abuse problem that they’ve had, I feel like they’re pretty leery about it but if you can put it behind you can convince the team it’s behind you.
How did you put it behind you?
Just stayed on top of it. Been drug tested frequently. And just like, put my focus more on football, school and stuff like that.
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There’s a group of people I can’t hang with. I have to be more myself and stay away from that party scene. It was more like partying and going out. Every time I did it, it was me going out and partying.
How did this impact your family?
To be honest, my parents never really put me down or anything like that. They just wanted to see me do better. It was never like, ‘Oh, what did you do? Why did you do that?’ That type of deal. It was embarrassing for them, but it was never like trying to put me down or anything like that.
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I spend a lot more time by myself now. I have a girlfriend now. I go to movies, chill, stuff like that. I don’t do much partying nowadays.
What led to the problem in the first place?
Honestly, it was more me going to parties and stuff like that. It was never really an addiction.
How do you prove this is not a pattern?
Like I said, I feel like everything is done and it’s out in the open. I never got away with anything. It’s all there.
What are your biggest strengths, weaknesses?
My biggest strength is pass rush. I’m relentless on the field. I think I can get better with like, my run-stopping abilities and playing within the framework of the defense.
Bosa and Decker said you’re a good guy. You like hearing that?
Yeah, it helps me a lot. I feel blessed to have them as my friends. I don’t feel like I was ever distrustful or a bad person to anybody. I just had a couple problems. I made some mistakes and that’s pretty much it.
Who did you lean on to help you through the tough times?
My Dad. I leaned on him a lot during the process.
What’s the most challenging question teams ask you about your past?
I haven’t really had many challenging questions. They’re all really question that I knew were coming so I just answer them.
What teams have you met with?
Giants, Kansas City, Ravens, Washington. That’s it right now.
When you were at EKU did you ever wonder how you got there?
No, I knew what I did. I knew why I was there and I knew it was a business trip for me. It’s a great school and I wanted to win and I knew going in what I wanted to do and what I wanted to get out of the situation.
How does it feel to have this well in your past?
It’s huge for me, especially with my drug tests and I’m still being drug tested to this day. It shows that I’ve grown from the situation and I’ve become a better person.
How often are you drug tested?
Every week now and I was on every drug test at Eastern Kentucky. After I failed at Ohio State (the first time) I was drug tested like twice a week up until I left.
Any linemen in the NFL that you would compare yourself to?
I like Justin Houston’s film a lot.
What was the year like for you at EKU?
It was a year for me to find myself. More so trying to become a better person.
Are you more of a defensive end or OLB?
Both. I don’t really see myself as more one than the other.
What can you tell us about your father?
Like I said, he’s a good general person. He doesn’t really get on me too much, but he like explains to me what I’ve done wrong and then we go about how I’m going to get better with the situation.
Feelings on EKU
I love my school. I love Eastern Kentucky. They took me in after I was suspended and that means the world to me. I mean, whatever I can do to help them is good.
What was it like playing at EKU vs. OSU
It’s still football. I didn’t feel much different except for the crowds being smaller. Everyone loved the games. It was still football.
What are your expectations for the draft?
I don’t have any expectations. I’m blessed to be in this situation. I didn’t think I’d be back here. Wherever I go is fine with me.
How tough was it watching OSU the last year?
I was happy for them. They’re still my brothers and stuff like that. I still care about those guys. I want to see them win and succeed.
Are you a risky pick for teams?
No. Not at all.
