2023 NFL Prospect Interview: Faheem Diaab, TE, UNC-Pembroke
- Name: Faheem Diaab
- Height: 6’5”
- Weight: 240 lbs.
- Position: TE
- College: UNC-Pembroke
- Twitter: Faheem_Diaab
- Instagram: Faheem_Diaab
Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
I will be finishing my undergrad this summer in Computer Science. I’ve already started some of my grad courses in Business Analytics. I was accepted to the Lamda Sigma Honor Society. However, their meetings would always coincide with football practice. So, I’ve never been truly involved with them. I have, however, been part of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee where we would meet with the director and compliance officers at the university.
What do your teammates say is your best quality?
My consistency and coachability. I’ve learned to be consistent in the weight room and everything that I’m asked to do. I also try to help coach up others, motivating and pushing them to be better.
What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
My role on the field is more of a “hand in the dirt” in-line TE. In certain packages, I have been put in the slot and occasionally out wide. We run a lot of plays where I play an up-back/fullback position. Yet, I’m comfortable playing wherever I’m needed whether that be as a blocker or running routes. I feel like my team plays towards my strengths with my ability to run routes and catch the ball. I was a WR in high school playing the X receiver, and that has helped me as a tight end.
Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
Carson-Newman had a great player a couple years back in Darius Williams. He was a very fast and physical safety who played tight coverage and was always on you. He really challenged me early in my career.
Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
One of the guys that really impresses me that I see in practice every day is Dante Bowlding. He’s a young DB who was named defensive freshman of the year for our conference. He has very fluid hips and covers well. He knows how to really hit players and can destroy them when he wants to.
Our QB, Josh Jones, is another player that sticks out. He’s had NFL scouts come and look at him. He’s a good leader and has insane wheels that help him extend plays.
Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
My recruiting experience was a bit of a struggle. I wasn’t quite the desired size that people probably wanted being a tall, lanky WR and didn’t have a lot of offers. I got a call from a D3 school that showed some interest. I told them that I would keep in touch, but that really motivated me to better myself. There were a lot of people that I knew that got D1 offers, and I knew that I was good enough. I started to take the weight room more seriously, putting on more weight and drastically improving my PRs, some by 75 lbs or more. Coming into college, I was the 3rd string TE. Yet, by my sophomore year, I was starting games and really contributing to our offense.
If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
Growing up, I’ve played literally every sport you could think of. I would probably play baseball. Both baseball and football seasons lined up well so that they didn’t interfere with each other. I played outfielder in baseball throughout middle school up through my sophomore year of high school. By then, I stopped playing baseball in order to focus on football.
What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
After the 2021 season, not only was I named First Team All-Conference, but I was also voted MVP of our team by our coaches. Both awards are special to me. It was our second season being in a conference, and having the ability to receive an award, I was able to prove that I’m the best TE in our conference. Being named MVP is definitely a big achievement. Not getting highly recruited and working all those years, helping my team win has definitely paid off. I’m striving to be an All-American this season.
Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
I’ll never forget my first TD of my freshman season. I was 3rd string and our backup got hurt. That week of preparation, we practiced in 12 personnel with 2TE sets. During the game, we implemented several of those plays. I scored early in the game when we were near the redzone, where our team tries to take advantage of mismatches with our TEs. I was split out wide in off-coverage. I caught the ball in tight coverage, getting the first TD of my college career. I ended that game with 4 catches for 66 yards and a TD.
Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
My favorite NFL athlete is George Kittle. There isn’t a tight-end like him that can dominate as a receiver and a blocker. That adds true value as a player, and I strive to be like him.
Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
On our way to a game, I’ll listen to some good music like J. Cole. Yet, I’ll listen to NBA Youngboy to get me pumped up before games.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Wing Stop. 10-piece combo. Bone in and fries.
Do you have a favorite movie, TV show or actor?
I’m a big fan of the MCU and like watching the Marvel movies. Iron Man is one of my favorite characters. Robert Downey Jr. does a good job as an actor. One of my favorite TV shows is Law and Order.
What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
In my spare time, I like to play video games like Madden and Call of Duty. One of the things about me that some people don’t know is that I played trumpet for 10 years.
Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?
I play football because I feel like it’s what I was meant to do. My mom is someone that really motivates me. She’s done so much for me. She makes the effort to come to all of my games. She’s put me in training sessions and always got me what I needed to play the game that I love. For that, I’m truly grateful.
Assistant Director of Scouting for the Hula Bowl and long-time writer for NFL Draft Diamonds.