2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ethan Graubard, DB/LB, Allegheny College

• Name: Ethan Graubard
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 190
• Position: DB/LB
• College: Allegheny College 
• Twitter: ethangr32

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

• What I love about my hometown, Tenafly New Jersey is the proximity it has to New York City. It has allowed me to have access to one of the greatest cities in the world growing up

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

• First is strength and conditioning because I believe it sets the foundation for athletic development and allows me to generate the strength, size and speed which ultimately sets the stage to be successful. 

Practice allows me to get muscle memory down. I believe you practice how you play. So if you practice with good technique you will perform in the game with good technique. 

Third is film study. It allows me to see what to expect from the opponent. It ties into practice because I know what to expect from my opponent and how to play it, so when I am In the game I am able to be successful because I know what the opponent is going to do and how to play it. 

What do you worry about, and why?

• I try not to worry. I control what I can control and let God take care of the rest. 

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

• My true freshman year of college I was walking onto the Ithaca Colllege Football team. Unfortunately during the summer leading up to when I reported for camp, a hip injury that I dealt with in high school resurfaced which hindered my training. As a result, when I got to camp I was not prepared to compete and I was cut from the team. I used this as motivation to prove to myself that I can become the player that I knew I could be. I transferred to Allegheny College worked my way onto the field and became a fixture in the defense and special teams group. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• My work ethic. My teammates know I will do whatever it takes in the weight room, field, film room, or in the classroom to become the best player and teammate I can be. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

• Wesley Schools from Grove City. We played him in a scrimmage. Absolute baller. 

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

• I would want to work in the financial services industry where I am able to help people achieve their financial goals. 

Room, desk and car – which do you clean first?

• Desk. I cannot do work if there is clutter. However I would clean all three. I believe a cluttered room or car leads to a cluttered mind. I need a clear mind for clear thoughts toward success. 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

• My mom. She has done so much for me. I would do anything to make sure she is okay. 

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

• Superman. I would want to have superhero attributes to help people. 

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

• When my mom got cancer for a second time. She had to go to the hospital many times for treatment. She lost a lot of weight and it was not looking good at times. In order to deal with this, I prayed that she was okay, and I handled my business on the field and classroom because I know I can’t control circumstances. I can just control my effort into making my life the best possible. She ended up beating cancer again. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• In practice, I had defended an incomplete pass downfield. When I threw it back to the Quarterback, the ball slipped, and it ended up about 30 yards away from the intended target. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• The last game of my senior year we were down 13-3 to Oberlin College at the start of the second half. We were heavily favored in the game. In the beginning parts of the third quarter we were receiving a punt return and I was on the punt return team. I made a key block which led the returner to score a 75 yard punt return. It shifted all the momentum towards us and we went on to win 31-20. It was a great way to send the seniors off the right way. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

• Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

• Accountability. Figuring out what steps you have to take in order to be successful. If you want to be successful you have to hold yourself accountable because your choices lead up to the outcome. 

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

• Abraham Lincoln so he could see how far African American people have come since he died. 

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

• Detour. 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• Julian Edelman. He is a three time Super Bowl champion and has won a Super Bowl mvp. However, he is seldom mentioned as one of the top receivers in the game. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• Respected. Respect is earned and you usually have to prove your worrth in order to be respected. 

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• Tim Tebow. I feel that part of the reason teams did not sign him was because he is very religious. He has more than enough ability to be a backup QB in the NFL. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I love to win. I love the feeling of when preparation meets opportunity. That’s when success occurs. There’s nothing like that feeling. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

• My mom—she has battled cancer twice and beat it twice. She is still flourishing and living her life fully. She has shown me how to be resilient in the face of adversity and come out successful.