NFL Draft

Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Andrew Peacock, WR, Appalachian State

PeacockDraft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Andrew Peacock, WR, Appalachian State

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

– I didn’t have many offers coming out of high school. App State and some D2 schools offered me and Duke recruited me but didn’t offer. So I’ve have been that guy with a chip on my shoulder and wanting to prove people wrong.

Where did you choose and why?

– For many reasons, App State was always my dream place to play football. The tradition his is amazing. 3 consecutive national championships, and countless conference championships. I wanted to go somewhere where I could win because that is the #1 goal. Also on my visit there was an amazing family atmosphere all around. Coach Jerry Moore was just an overall awesome guy. Every body including the staff, players, coaches, and even students made me feel welcome and wanted.

What were your goals for your senior year?

– Unfortunately my senior App State made a transition to the Sun Belt conference so we weren’t eligible to win conference or go to playoffs. So my main goal was to win every game. I also wanted to focus on perfecting my craft, taking care of my body, and just becoming an overall better player.

Have any scouts met with you, and if so what are they saying?

– I’ve been in constant contact with the Seahawks. They really like my film and the type of player I am. They look for guys with a chip on their shoulder and have a little swag to their game and that describes me perfectly. Also the panthers and Detroit have shown interest.

At your position, what separates you from the others?

– The slot WR position requires a very tough individual. You are going up against LBs and Safeties that are 20-30lbs heavier than you AND they run 4.5-4.6. Everybody in the league is athletic. So what separates me is my mental side. I know I don’t run a 4.3 so playing full speed is something that is required for me. Coming in and out of my breaks full speed, coming off the ball full speed on run plays to keep the defense honest, closing a DBs cushion as much as possible before making my break, incorporating different movements and stems in my routes, never messing up the timing with the QB, reading defenses on the run, CATCHING EVERY SINGLE BALL!!! Those are the things I focus on perfecting.

Tell us what you look for when breaking down film?

– I look for reoccurring tendencies of the defense. What coverages can I pick up on based on the pre and post- Snap alignment, what individual tendencies can I pick up on the guys that will be guarding me, what are the strengths and weakness of the defense, do the DBs guess a lot on route combinations, how do the players react to adversity, what coverage are the DBs most comfortable in, do they like contact, do they blitz a lot, knowing if I’m the hot read if they blitz.

Who was the toughest player you have ever faced?

– My senior year we played Georgia and they had a safety that was 6’2″ 235lbs. Very physical and strong guy and talked ally of trash, which I loved! I was determined to beat him every play just to prove that I am just as good, if not better, than that defense. Ended up with 12 catches for 97 yards.

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

– When it comes to overall slot receiver I would compare myself to Wes Welker. Not a 4.3 guy but a very smart player with sure hands and great routes. When it comes to mentality I would compare myself to Steve Smith. I love the attitude and swagger that he plays with. His toughness puts fear into DBs.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

– Seeing my mother battle cancer twice. Seeing the person that you love the most face death is a scary thing and being only 15 years old made it even harder. At the time I felt useless because there was nothing I could do. She would come home after chemo and be so weak and sick but all I could do was sit back and let it take its course. I try to keep a smile on her face at all times. No matter what it was I just wanted to make her proud of me. She is the strongest person I know and is now cancer free!

What system fits your style of play the best?

– The spread fits be best. I am that intermediate shifty guy in the slot. If it’s 3rd and 8 I am the go to guy. I feel that no DB can guard me laterally. Not a lot of WRs like to go across the middle but that’s where I live. I am willing to take that big hit because I know if the ball touches my hands it will get caught. Every teams needs a guy to do the dirty work and I feel that I am that guy.

What is your biggest strength?

– My hands! I had 209 receptions in my career at App State, which is the school record. Out of those 209 catches I’ve dropped maybe 4 balls that were in my frame.

What is your biggest weakness?

– Obviously I’m not a 4.3 guy up the seem. But I use other parts of my game to make up for that.

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

– When it comes to playing this game, you will not find a harder worker out there than me. I am a man that strives for perfection and won’t stop until I get there. I am the guy in the slot who will do the dirty work and open things up for the outside WR. I’m willing to go across the middle and take that big hit for the first and then get up and do it again. I’m a sure hand, great route runner who prides himself off of toughness. You can put anyone in front of me and I believe I can beat them. Winning is the ultimate goal and whatever it takes to get there I will do. If coach ask for some scout guys on special teams I will be the first guy out there. Whatever it takes, I will do!

Growing up, who was your role model?

– My father has always been my role model. He has been the perfect example and teacher of how to be a man. He let me live my life, corrected me when he needed to, and showed me love when I needed it. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for him.

Who was your favorite team and player in the NFL and why?

– My favorite team this year was the Seattle Seahawks. That team is full of a bunch if guys with chips on their shoulders who want to prove everybody wrong. A bunch of late rounders who all will do whatever it takes to win. The swag that they showed on the field was terrifying to other teams. That’s a program that with nothing but great things in the future. My favorite player is Steve Smith. The swag and relentlessness that he plays with is incomparable. He has the heart of a lion and I see a lot of myself in him.

What was the most tragic event that ever happened in your life and how did you overcome it?

– In 2009 I lost one of my best friends in a tragic car accident. I was a QB in high school and he was one of my top WRs. When I got the news I was in class and I walked out and absolutely broke down. Literally cried for days and hit an all time low. I eventually got out of that slump and wanted to celebrate his life through football. I knew he would do anything to be in my position so it’s only right for me to give it 100% every time I step on the field.

If you were to have dinner with three people dead or alive who would it be?

– Jesus Christ

-Martin Luther King Jr

– Vince Lombardi

With your first paycheck what would you buy?

-SAVE IT!

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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