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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Steve Cluley, QB, The College of William and Mary

 

Steve Cluley of William and Mary can kill you with his feet and his arm.
Steve Cluley of William and Mary can kill you with his feet and his arm.

NFL Draft Diamonds has been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the player. We hope to bring you more than 350 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 to the right.  Now let’s meet the prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Steve Cluley

What is your Height/Weight?

6 ft 3 in

What is your position?

QB

Where do you play college football?

The College of William and Mary

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

Its cool when little kids look up to you and want to meet you because growing up you remember going to high school games and thinking those guys were amazing. One thing that stands out to me was I got to hang out with a elementary school kid and just talk and throw the football around at school. It stood out because you don’t realize the impact the can have on making someones day by doing something as simple as that until you actually do it.

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

Human Physiology

Where are you from?

I am from Manasquan NJ, I went to Wall High School

Who is your role model, and why?

As a person I always looked up to my dad the way he was to us and my mom and people in general is what I want to be like.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played Baseball and Skiing was another hobby that me and my family did frequently

Did you play any other positions in football?

When I was younger I played wide receiver until I went to high school and switched to QB. Played a little safety and corner in high school to but not much.

At your position, what separates you from others?

I love the game of football and constantly trying to gain a better understanding for the game. I love learning more and more about defenses their weakness and also growing within the playbook to make everything on Saturdays become natural. I am constantly looking for ways to improve myself and my team. I also believe that I am a great leader and look to get the best both out of myself and my teammates.

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

I have fallen into the habit of starting by breaking down defenses starting by formation. I look for base coverage and the alignments of the defenders in base defense. I then for the same formation look at any blitzes or pressures they bring and study the alignments of the defenders again. Then you can start to pick out tips for when things are coming. For example stances of D-line then the deployment of the backers and safeties. Look for sparks safties or if they are playing different in relation to the hash marks etc. Repeat this for other formations and then work to situation like 3rd down and red zone. Anything to help me know whats coming before it happens.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

First start against Va Tech, Daddy Nicholas and Luther Maddie made their presence known.

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

I would have to say Drew Brees because he is one of my favorite so I have always wanted to play like him. I think this because Drew is very smart with the ball and is very accurate. Also a great leader and teammate.

steve-cluley1

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I don’t have any crazy rituals but if anything I like to go out before pre game with music and just throw the ball around and mentally start to imagine plays in my head and where I would go with the ball is particular coverage’s or situations

As a small school football player what obstacles do you feel you have to overcome?

I think the biggest thing is the competition level. I think we play great competition but I always hear that the worry with small school players is playing at the highest level of completion against the best in the NFL atmosphere. Therefore the biggest obstacle is being able to prove that I am able to do that.

What is your biggest strength?

I believe one strength is I am tough and durable. I also think I am very accurate.

What is your biggest weakness?

One thing I think I need to improve is my ability to have quick eyes and be able to move through progressions quicker.

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

I would say that I am an extremely hard worker and looking for the opportunity to go out against the best competition and compete for a spot. I am going to give it every thing I have both on and off the field to be the best player and teammate I can be for the team.

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

I am a big Philadelphia Eagles fan and grew up loving Brian Dawkins and Drew Brees

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

Jesus, Grandfather, Brian Dawkins

With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy?

I would honestly save most of it but I would definitely look to get my parents something whether that be a vacation or something special for them because without their support I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Rapid Answers:

  • Who will win the Super Bowl? Philadelphia Eagles
  • Whose better Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?
  • Better Running Back Adrian Peterson or Barry Sanders?
  • Better safety Eric Weddle or Ed Reed?
  • Better linebacker Ray Lewis or Luke Kuechly?

 

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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