As the leader of Ohio State's offensive line from his left tackle position, Taylor Decker is used to fending off the biggest, baddest dudes in college football. The 6-foot-8, 315-pound senior usually wins those attacks, which is why he's an All-America candidate and a likely first-round NFL draft pick.
There's one thing, however, that can reduce Decker to a giant teddy bear in mere moments: the sight of an animal. The more exotic the species, the better. Especially big cats.
Decker's fascination with them began as a young boy, when he'd rewatch "The Lion King" nearly every day and take his beloved stuffed lion everywhere.