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Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Tomas Cabrera, DB, Bloomsburg University

cabrera 2Every year, NFL Draft Diamonds brings our readers the best in depth interviews on the internet. We specialize in giving players an opportunity to showcase their talents on our website. We conducted interviews last year with over 300 plus players. We want you to enjoy our interviews, because when these young men are in the league, we will not be surprised, and neither should you. 

What is your name?

Tomas Cabrera

What is your Height/Weight?

6’2”/220

What is your position?

Safety

Where do you play college football?

Bloomsburg University

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

Two teams, only one offered me financial help.

How did you choose your school?

I choose my school based on the solidarity of the coaching staff. The coaching staff has been together for many years and has proven to be successful.

Where are you from?

Hanover Area, Pa

Who is your role model, and why?

My role model is my mother. She has gone above and beyond to support me throughout my football career. I hope one day I can return the favor for everything she has done for me.

Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?

I have not met with any scouts.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Growing up I was involved in soccer, bowling, baseball and track, as well as football.

Did you play any other positions in football?

I have played basically every position while in high school, but at the collegiate level I played receiver my freshman year before switching to safety my sophomore season.

At your position, what separates you from others?

My football IQ, and my continuous physical play.

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

My initial goal when I begin watching film is to break down the opponents tendencies. I like to find their go to plays. Then I begin to break down their personnel. I want to know who I may be playing against and how they play. I look for small techniques that some players might have, especially the quarterback. I watch to see if he stares down his receiver or he gets shook after his initial read is not there. Then lastly I get a feel for his long arm coming off the ball, whether he has a short or long release may give me an opportunity to jump a pass.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

One of the better players I have played against has been Matt Soltes from East Stroudsburg. He throws a good ball and has short mechanics to get the ball out fast. He is also a mobile quarterback who can elude pressure to either take off and run or by his receivers’ time to get open.

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

I don’t know that I can compare myself to one player. I feel as though I possess certain qualities from multiple players. From a special teams standpoint I look at a guy like Chris Maragos who is always around the ball on every special teams unit. Then on defense I look at a guy like Cam Chancellor who is very physical while playing at linebacker depth, whether it means coming up and stopping the run or playing crossing routes mid-range.

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

To keep the personal family situations out of this I will refer to situations I have faced on the field. I have been told by many coaches that I am not good enough to play at the collegiate level; one coach even said “That kid Tomas Cabrera will never play safety for us”. At times I was pulled off special teams units while producing. I feel as though I have been under-appreciated while playing at the collegiate level but like everything else I have not said a word but instead kept my head down and continued to work and give my coaches no doubt that I am their guy.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I do not have any pre-game rituals, I just try to relax and have fun with the process. I never stress before a game because I know I prepare enough leading up to it to be ready when it comes.

What is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength is putting a pair of pads on and going out and playing football. I am physical player that loves to be around the ball.

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest technical weakness is playing man coverage. At times I have struggled playing lock down man coverage on guys in the slot. More specifically, smaller receivers, not so much tight ends.

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

Every GM wants a guy that will sit down and say I am going to work my butt off to make this team, I will keep my head straight and will not be involved with off the field issues, which I fully intend to follow. But there is nothing more important to me than my family and this game. They both go hand and hand. When I fail at this game I feel like I am letting down so many people. Especially those who have helped me get to this point in my career. And at no point am I satisfied with failing at this game or failing with my family. If given the opportunity to play for you “GM” I will truly devote my entire self to this organization, this team and this game.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

My favorite NFL player is Brian Dawkins; the emotion he brought to every game is unparalleled. My favorite NFL team is the Philadelphia Eagles.

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

I would have dinner with Kevin Hart, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jenifer Lopez. ​

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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