2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Logan Blake, LB, Marian University

• Name: Logan Blake
• Position: LB
• College: Marian University
• Height: 6’2″
• Weight: 230 lbs
• Twitter: @loganexpress11
• Instagram: @loganblake11

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

My parents got me into football when I was younger and just fell in love with it. Just enjoy watching the game whether it’s college or the NFL and learning the game.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

It’s hard to pick out just one game. My first start during the covid year was definitely a special moment because it was a surreal moment for me. Playing against teams like Indiana Wesleyan, Saint Francis and Concordia stand out as well just because they are really good teams that are fun to play against.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My sister. She has taught me a lot of things about life and how to handle adversity. She is always at my games and she always has a smile on her face no matter what is going on in her life. She’s like a second mom to me.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Marian?

The competitive atmosphere. Being a team with high expectations every year makes you work harder for yourself and your team. Playing for a team with a rich tradition of winning sets the bar for me and future players. The community atmosphere too. I’ve built life long relationships with guys I’ve played with and currently playing with. I get to do what I love with people I love on a daily basis.

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

Luke Kuechly. When I switched from playing safety to linebacker, he was a player I watched to learn how to play linebacker. He was such a smart player and watching him play made me a better linebacker. The way he approached every play presnap was detail orientated and how physical he was during the play helped me become the player I am.

What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

I feel like I bring a calm cool and collected approach to the game. When things are not going our way. I feel like bringing that attitude wears off on the defense. As a linebacker, I feel like I take a big leadership role on the defense and have stepped up my role as a leader the last 2 years.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

I really like our 3rd down package. We do a lot of exotic blitzes and it puts me in position to succeed. Being able to blitz off the edge one play and the next play guarding 1on1 in the slot is something our defense does that showcases the versatility in our linebacker room.

What stands out the most about your film?

Sideline to sideline speed and versatility. My movement speed is different compared to linebackers. I feel like I’m the fastest linebacker in the country and it shows up on the field. Creating big plays through versatility is something we practice a lot in fall camp and throughout the season. Whether it’s sacks, tackles for loss, interceptions, and forcing fumbles. I feel like I do a lot of all those and something I pride myself on rather then just making tackles.

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

Last year when I was unable to play due to injury. I learned a lot about myself and the people I surround myself with. I found a motivational video by Jocko Willink called “Good”. It talks about facing challenges in life and instead of running away from problems going on, he talks about how to face adversity head on and just saying Good and moving on and improving upon what has happened to you in life or on the football field.

What would a team get in a player like you?

Any team that gets me will be getting the hardest worker in the room. I came into college as a 180 pound safety and in 5 years became a 230 pound linebacker. I love working on my game with my coaches and improving every year. I think teams get a player that has a lot of room to grow. I’ve only played 20 games at linebacker and have accomplished so much in terms of team aspect and player aspect. I’ve improved so much in just two years of being a linebacker and feel like I have a lot of room to grow in the future.

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

Hardwork is the first thing. I think it’s special that we spend hours upon hours of working on what we do to play a max of 15 games per year. Preparation for the game is another key. Knowing what the other team is doing helps us as a team play fast and physical. The last thing is effort. I play with a lot of effort and determination and I think our defense feeds off that and makes us play as hard as we can to fulfill our potential.

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

Ricky Kwak. He’s a guy that came out his junior year and really improved and became the starter. He’s a guy that is in medical school right now but he still loves football and gets to play next to us in his 5th year. His range as a safety is something that is hard to find. I think he has 10 interceptions in his career but his effort, attitude and leadership is what really sticks out.