2023 Draft Prospect Interview: Jay Vallie, TE, Eastern Illinois University

• Name: Jay Vallie
• Position: TE
• College: Eastern Illinois University
• Height: 6’3″
• Weight: 253 lbs
• Twitter: @JayVee_ei8hty
• Instagram: @jayvee_ei8hty

What sets you apart from other tight ends?

I’m not a one-dimensional tight end. I’m comfortable running any route concept in the playbook, and can block the point of attack in the run game. My hands are also reliable, I believe that if a ball touches my hands I should come down with it.

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

When I used to play in the backyard with my brother and friends, I would pretend to be like the players I saw on TV and wanted to do it for real. I also had lots of coaches and mentors tell me that I could go a long way playing football.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

I would choose to hang with Travis Kelce. He is a very smart player, and being able to learn from one of the best at this position would be awesome.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Eastern Illinois?

It’s a historic program. Lots of great players have walked through the same doors that we do. The school and Charleston community are great supporters. My coaches will do whatever they can to help me be successful on and off the field.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

As unbiased as I can sound, I like 12 personnel a lot. Especially if you have hybrid tight ends that can be effective in run blocking and the pass, you can put them in a ton of different positions on the field to get a mismatch. No-pull power and split-zone play action passes are two good concepts I like in that set.

What should we know about Jay Vallie the person?

I enjoy finding a way to make others smile or laugh. If someone’s having a bad day or if they just need a pick-me-up, I want to try to make their day just a little bit better.

What do you think are the keys to success on the football field?

The first is communication. Football is a game that requires 11 guys to all be on the same page in order to successfully operate. Confidence is the second. No matter who I’m playing against, I tell myself I am the best player on the field and I should win every battle. The third is to stay calm and collected. Very rarely in games do plays pan out exactly how they’re drawn up. Knowing your assignments and how to react when something unexpected happens separates being good from being great.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

As a high schooler, spending time with my friends during summer 7-on-7’s against other schools is something I’ll never forget. All my best friends and I would pack into a car and blast music on our way to the field, play some games, then go back to one of our houses and stay up all night playing video games or doing trick shots on the mini-hoop. A close second was my first touchdown in college when I was at Dayton, which was also my first collegiate catch. After I scored, I turned back to see all my boys coming in for a party in the endzone.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

No matter the situation, I try to take a step back to evaluate what is going on and how I can respond. There may be things that are outside of my control, I can’t worry about that stuff. I will talk with those I trust about what I need to do, and pray to seek guidance from God so that He may lead me in the right direction.

What would a team get in a player like you?

I’m a team-first guy. I’m 100% bought in to what the team values and believes in. I’ll find what roles I fit that bring the most benefit to the team and work to be the best at them. Our success is greater than my success.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

Getting a chance to bring another OVC championship back to Charleston.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Ryan Skibinski. He was a 4-year starter, and a very productive receiver throughout his college career. Unfortunately, his transition to pro was during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the challenges of not having pro days, shortened NFL rosters, and other limitations didn’t give him the full chance he deserved.