NFL DraftProspect Interviews

2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Andre Dowdell, WR, Edinboro College

Andre Dowdell the speedy WR from Edinboro College recently sat down with NFL Draft Diamonds owner Damond Talbot
  • Name: Andre Dowdell
  • Height: 5’8
  • Weight: 180
  • Position: WR
  • College: Edinboro University
  • Twitter: 3babydre

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

• I am from Syracuse, New York the 315. I love everything about the town, it raised me. It’s where my family and friends are. So many memories were made there it will always have a special place in my heart. 

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

• Film Study, Practice, Strength and Conditioning. I believe film study is the most important. You need to know your opponent and have a plan before you even step onto a field. I think film study is underrated and it can be a helpful tool if utilized correctly. Practice is where you use the film study to execute your plan. This is where you perfect your craft and work on your actual football skills. You can also get your conditioning in if you are practicing the right way. Finally, Strength and Conditioning, you need to be in the best physical shape if you want to compete at a high level. Strength and Conditioning helps you maintain for four quarters.

What do you worry about, and why?

•  I try my best to pray instead of worrying. I do worry about what my next step is going to be. Football has been my dream since i was 5 years old and it worries me not being in control of my future. 

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

• An example would be my sophomore year in high school when I was playing defensive back. I got moved up to varsity to play this position and I thought it was going to be what I went to college to play. The first game of the season I messed up the coverage and was taken out of the game. The coaches ended up changing my position and I thought this was the worst thing that could happen to me. Instead of quitting, I began working hard at my new position and changing my negative mindset. It ended up working out in my favor and being the best move for me.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• My teammates say my leadership skills are my best quality. 

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

• Best player I ever played against is Lamont McPhatter from Cal U. 

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

•  I would be a business man and be on the Forbes 30 under 30. 

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

•  I am going to have to say I’d clean my room first. My room is where I start my day.

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

•  I would save my family, my family is everything to me I would be nothing without them. Family always comes first and if I didn’t save them I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. 

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

•  I would be the flash, he is my favorite super hero. That has been my nickname since high school and I think he’s the best super hero of all time. The Netflix series is pretty good too. 

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

•  My biggest adversity was having to leave Saint Francis University. Things were going well there, I was playing and we won the NEC championship. Unfortunately, I had to leave there because it was too much for my family financially. I had to go home and work at a car wash in order to pay my financial bill from Saint Francis so I could transfer. I learned a lot about myself through this time in my life. I knew what my goal was so I just put my head down and worked. I worked long hours but made sure I worked out everyday, usually twice a day so I was ready when I got my chance to play again. I kept a positive mindset and was constantly in prayer and that’s how I overcame the adversity. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• My most embarrassing moment was when I was at SFU and we were playing Duquesne on homecoming. The coaches put me in to run a corner route and I broke off the safety and was wide open, I’m talking about no one near me. I turned to see if the quarterback had thrown the ball but Idid not see the ball in his hands. I figured he had threw the ball to someone else on the play. Come to find out, he did throw it to me, and the ball was already in the air. The ball ended up landing a yard in front of me. I looked so dumb on that play and running to that sideline was the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever dealt with. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• My most memorable play of my collegiate career would be my 37 yard catch against Gannon my junior year. This wasn’t my best play but it was definitely the most memorable. It was homecoming and the game was tied up with under 2 minutes to go. The atmosphere was crazy that game and I didn’t have many opportunities before to prove myself. So when I got the ball I made sure I made the most of it. I caught a corner route, made a few guys miss, and then got tackled inside the red zone. My teammate Aj Turner ended up scoring the game winner and we ended up winning 31-24. Just being able to help the team win on homecoming was a great feeling and that is why it is the most memorable for me. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

•  Keep It Goin- Shy Glizzy 

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

• I think mental toughness is the most important trait you can have. You are going to face a lot of adversity at the next level and you can’t fold. You have to be mentally strong.

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

• If I could bring one person back from the dead it would be my grandfather. He was a great guy and I know my family misses him, especially my grandma. I wish he could see where I’m at in life right now in and get to meet the man I am today. 

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

• Bailamos 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• Most underrated player in the NFL is Tyler Lockett. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• I would rather be respected than liked, being liked is just a popularity contest. I would rather be respected and stay true to myself. 

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

• I feel for Antonio Brown, his career went down hill so fast. He was my favorite player and I think his emotions got the best of him. AB is going to go down as one of the greats but I feel as though he has a lot more football left to play. I am not saying his actions were right and I don’t know where his behavior came from, but I am hoping he can make a return to the NFL. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I hate losing, that is the worst feeling in the world. I learned that I hate losing more than winning from my experiences playing 2k with my little brother. I obviously love to win but that pain I felt losing to my brother on Xbox, that is something that I never want to feel. My competitive nature just hates losing no matter what it is in. 

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

• My dad has probably had the biggest impact on my life. He has been there for me through thick and thin. He was the one that introduced me to the game of football. He coached every team I played on until I got to college. He trained me and taught me so much about the game. He has been to almost all of my games and has been supportive throughout the whole process. We have driven across the country, been to numerous amount of camps, and not to mention the financial help he has provided me. My dad is also my pastor and has helped me grow and develop my faith and I could not thank him enough for that.

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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