2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ibrahim Kamara, DL, Georgetown University

• Name: Ibrahim Kamara
• Position: Defensive Line
• School: Georgetown University
• Height: 6’4
• Weight: 256

Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?

I was a student in the college of Georgetown, majoring in Psychology. I was part of the CSP, Community Scholars Program, and GSP Georgetown Scholarship Program. I also did the match as well.  

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

I’ll say my perseverance is my best quality. I’ve been hurt many times and came back from it, my mindset is not to give up and to bounce back from any setbacks.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?

I see myself as one of the leaders of the defensive line, I play DL and I also play outside linebacker/edge. I can rush off the edge but I can also rush from the 3 tech and the 1 tech as well. 

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

The best player I’ve played against in college is hard to say but maybe Matthew Sluka, QB from Holy Cross. He is a very mobile QB with a good arm.

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

The teammate I believe impresses me the most is our tackle Mac Hollinster from where he started from freshman year, to be an NFL hopeful his senior year is amazing and the growth he had was just amazing. 

What makes you different from others at your position? 

I believe my grit and football IQ is what makes me different  from others in my position. I watch film a lot so I know what plays are coming by the formation and the OL stance and more. I can tell where the slide is coming from what side, when to cross the slide if it’s coming at me or away.

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

I’ve been overcoming struggles all my life, from living in Africa, house to house to living in New Jersey in a rough neighborhood, going through injuries and coming back from them even stronger in football.

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

If I didn’t play football I would most likely play basketball, I have the build for it and it was my first sport as a kid. 

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

Something that I’m most proud of is graduating from Georgetown coming from where I come from. Not many people have the access to graduate college, especially a school like Georgetown.

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.

One of the most memorable moments of my college year was my sophomore year against Marist, when we were up a few scores and our coach told us to go hunt and I got my first sack of the season against them. I got lots of pressure which also led to some interceptions. It felt so good getting after the QB it ended up a blowout. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?

My favorite athletes are Lebron and Kobe (may God rest his soul). I love their mindset. My favorite football players are Nick Bosa and Myles Garrett. I do the double-swipe side scissors a lot, which I learned from seeing him do it at Ohio State. 

What gets you “pumped up” before a game?

Before a game I love listening to music to pump me up, which comes after I meditate to relax my mind and my body. 

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?

In my spare time I like to lift, meditate, watch Netflix, write poems, I like writing down what i’m feeling.  I also love watching football and playing Madden while listening to music as well. 

Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?

I play football because it’s the greatest metaphor for life, when you get knocked down, you get back up and you never know where the ball is going to bounce like how you never know where life will go. I love the hard work and adversity that comes with football, it doesn’t only make me a better athlete but a better man. My life has always been filled with adversity, football just shows me the same but in a more fun way. 

What do you want NFL teams to know about you? 

I want NFL teams to know that I’m the player that is not only playing for me, but playing for a whole bunch of people that helped me get this far, so I refuse to let them down. I always wanted a ring and I will not stop until I get one, no matter how long it takes. Every day when I come to practice I will be living my dream I’ve been pursuing since I was 13, and it can’t get better than that.