NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Ryan Umpleby, WR, Lycoming College

NFL Draft Diamonds and our staff have been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 2 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. We have tons of NFL staff that read our interviews, and we actually received several of the questions from NFL scouts we speak too. This gives them a little bit more information regarding your character. We hope to bring you more than 300 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.

What is your name?

Ryan Umpleby

What is your Height/Weight?

5’11” 1/2, 185

What is your position?

Wide Receiver

Where do you play college football?

Lycoming College 

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

Every spring the team participates in community service activities. One spring I was able to mentor young students in the area.  I helped them with their homework and when they were finished, we would play basketball and do other fun activities. 

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

Finance

Where are you from?

Forest Hill, MD

Who is your role model, and why?

My father.  He has supported me since day one and he does whatever he can to help others.  He is the most selfless man I know and he has taught me how to be a man. 

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played basketball and lacrosse.

Did you play any other positions in football?

I’ve always been a return man and in high school I played defensive back.

At your position, what separates you from others?

I have the ability to make the spectacular catches. Whether it’s catching the ball in traffic or making a one handed catch near the sideline. When the game is on the line and we need eight yards for a first down, you can count on me to get that first down.  I have great body control and awareness.

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

I look at what type of coverages the defense plays against the formations we run.  If they play man or zone or if they press or play off. I look at each players tendencies and how they react in certain situations.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

A couple players stand out and we have had our battles.

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

Julian Edelman.  He is very quick in and out of his routes and he plays with great intensity and fire.  He’s always fighting to get that extra yard and he doesn’t shy away from contact. He can make something happen out of nothing. 

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

I’ve had many obstacles in my life but it doesn’t matter with what your faced with, its how you handle that adversity.  You have to use these obstacles to learn and be able to grow.  You have to be able to overcome anything that comes your way.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I watch highlight tapes of my favorite players and listen to music.

What is your biggest strength?

I have the ability to read the defense on the fly and adjust my routes accordingly.  I am able to make quick gametime decisions that will help put my team in the best position to win the ball game.  I also pride myself on catching every pass that comes my way and I go up and take the ball out of the air.

What is your biggest weakness?

I always expect excellence from myself and I can be too hard on myself.

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

I have been playing football for 15+ years and it is my biggest passion.  I am a coachable player that leads by example on and off the field.  I am determined to do whatever it takes to make not only myself better but my teammates around me better as well.  I’m ready to work.  

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

Hines Ward and Marvin Harrison

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

Lebron James, Steve Jobs and Jennifer Aniston

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

Something nice for my parents.