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Ezekiel Elliott’s NFL Combine answer addresses the Urban Meyer-playcalling issue at Ohio State.

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Every now and then we all make mistakes — some more than others, some more critically than others.

It’s the mistakes which help us mature.

Ezekiel Elliott isn’t exempt from that rule. It was only a few months ago when he made a crucially incorrect step in the wrong direction by questioning Ohio State’s playcalling after a 17-14 loss against Michigan State.

In the moment, it’s understandable. He’s supposed to be a star, a playmaking running back destined for NFL greatness, so why did he only get the ball 12 times vs. the Spartans?

In fact, let’s flash back to Elliott’s exact quote.

“I deserve more than (12) carries,” he said. “I can’t speak for the playcaller. I don’t know what was going on.”

Since then, the former Buckeyes running back has chatted with Urban Meyer and acknowledged his mistake. It was childish and irresponsible. He knows that.

But now, as he looks to prove himself to NFL general managers, coaches and scouts in attendance at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, Elliott is preparing for the seemingly inevitable question regarding that postgame quote.

He already has an answer ready to go.

“I would tell them that I’ve grown up a lot since then,” Elliott said. “That was a great learning moment for me. I was emotional, but you know I think what teams want is a competitor and that’s what I am. And that’s where it all came from.”

Football is an emotional game. Anyone who has ever strapped up the pads can attest.

Seldom do those emotions — especially after a loss — just disappear.

Elliott let his get the best of him in the heat of the moment, in the trough of wave Ohio State expected to ride to a second straight national championship.

If NFL teams believe he’s grown up, Elliott is going to be a first-round pick and given a chance to excel in the pros like he did in Columbus, Ohio.