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2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Rodney Owens Jr, DB, The University of Memphis

2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Rodney Owens Jr, DB, The University of Memphis
Rodney Owens Jr. is a playmaker in the secondary for The University of Memphis that recently sat down with Justin Berendzen of NFL Draft Diamonds.
  • Name: Rodney Owens Jr
  • Position: DB
  • College: The University of Memphis
  • Height: 6’0″
  • Weight: 200 lbs
  • Twitter: @_IAmRod
  • Instagram: @_r2to

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

I come from a football family, my grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles all love football. So I kind of just picked up the tradition and decided I wanted to be one of the greatest players.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

Game winning pick against SMU in 2021 and catching my first interceptions against Temple in 2020. Also just the grinding process in general.

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

I believe I bring a certain tenacity to the field or an edge, like a chip on my shoulders that my teammates will feed off my energy. Also I’m very charismatic, I’ll bring my teammates together while we are down or up to keep everyone level headed.

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

Ed Reed. He has been a childhood hero of mine and I always modeled my game after him. I would like to know how he trains and how his mental preparation is for games.

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

My younger brothers. I’m just trying to prove to them you can follow your dreams and become whomever they want to be with dedication and hard work.

What is your favorite coverage and why?

Either man coverage (cover 1) or cover 3. Basically a 1 high safety look. I like to be the high safety to show my ball hawking skills but I also love to matched up 1 versus 1 in the slot.

What should we know about Rodney Owens the person?

That I’m a determined, resilient, intelligent young man that is courageous and will work for anything that I need or want. I’m a genuine person with a big heart that believes in showing every person the respect that they deserve. Overall you can expect a high energy person that has unconditional love for everyone because we all can be special.

What stands out about your film the most?

I have flashes of instinctual plays on my film. Basically plays where I understand where the ball is going and I’ll have a plan to make the play before it gets started. Particularly on 3rd downs.

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

With a positive attitude and knowing that adversity reveals character. So I assess and handle each situation how it should be handled.

What would a team get in a player like you?

Great effort and team player that will play any role that’s necessary to help the team be the best team possible. Also a natural born competitor I love to win.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Memphis?

Playing in our conference. We have a lot of different teams that we play. There’s multiple offenses we played against so it kept me on my toes each week. And I love my teammates we all have a lot of grit.

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

Honestly Rico McGraw, and because I believe he should be in the NFL right now and he was my high school teammate he taught me a lot about DB when I was young.

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