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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Jameer Thurman, LB, Indiana State University

Jameer Thurman of Indiana State is a playmaker with great tackling ability

NFL Draft Diamonds website has been providing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed things up a bit. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the draft eligible player. We hope to bring you more than 350 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet our next prospect!!!!

What is your name? 

Jameer Thurman

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’0 228lbs

What is your position? 

LB

Where do you play college football? 

Indiana State University

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field? 

Always volunteered at St. Benedict’s Community Festival in Terre Haute where I got to meet and interact with a lot of local kids in the community.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Hardest college class I have ever taken was Applied Statics for Engineering.

Where are you from? 

Bellwood, Illinois

Who is your role model, and why? 

My role model is my dad because he has sacrificed so much for me ever since I was little and has always been there to support me in everything I do.

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

Yes, I played baseball, wrestling, and track & field.

Did you play any other positions in football? 

I have played SS, FS, CB, QB and RB

At your position, what separates you from others? 

What separates me from others is recognizing plays before they unfold. Being a student of the game and breaking down film to know every detail about my opponent.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

When I am breaking down film I look for tendencies from the offense that I can exploit from linemen stances, to RB alignment, to personnel. I always try to be prepared for everything that is thrown my way during the game.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

The toughest player I have ever faced was Zach Zenner. I played against him my first two years at Indiana State and he ran harder than any other running back I have ever faced.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why? 

I would compare my play to Deone Bucannon of the Arizona Cardinals. He plays fast, always has a nose for the ball, can cover very well, and can stuff the run.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it? 

My biggest obstacle was understanding that if you really wanted something in life, no matter how hard it was or what others said about you, that you can accomplish it if you dedicate a lot of time and work towards it.

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

I always find a corner of the locker room with my headphones in and just visualize myself making plays in the upcoming game.

What is your biggest strength? 

My biggest strength is causing havoc and creating turnovers for my team. I am always trying to create turnovers anyway I can.

What is your biggest weakness? 

My biggest weakness that I need to improve on is getting off blocks better.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I am someone that can be an asset to this organization and that you can count on to do the little things that are needed to be successful. I am a student of the game with a great football IQ. I will bring a competitive nature to the organization like no other player has. I will do anything to help the team win. 

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up? 

My favorite player ever is Barry Sanders, and I am a diehard Bears fan.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose? 

Barry Sanders, Morgan Freeman, Kendrick Lamar

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

Whatever my parents want.

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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