NFL Draft

Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Erik Lora, WR, Eastern Illinois

Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Erik Lora, WR, Eastern Illinois 

Eastern Illinois Wide Receiver Erik Lora is a household name among FCS fans and followers. Lora, along with his Quarterback, and fellow NFL prospect Jimmy Garoppolo, have put up EA Sports-type numbers over their careers for the Ohio Valley Conference Panthers. A 5’11 190 pound Miami Florida product has had to work for everything he’s gained in football. Lora could be the next big hispanic icon in the NFL.

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

A descent amount of FCS schools offered me scholarships but most FBS schools said I should be a preferred walk on, decided the free education was a wiser choice.

Where did you choose and why?

Eastern Illinois University because the coaching staff didn’t beat around the bush, plus I had an opportunity to play as a freshman. The community was so different from my hometown, and I wanted to experience something different.

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

My head coach in college didn’t want me to worry about anything in the future, just my Senior season so never spoke to any scouts.

At your position, what separates you from the others?

I have great hands, and I am very unpredictable and explosive out of my routes.

Tell us what you look for when breaking down film?

I watch mostly DB’s to see how they react to moves and what their tendencies are to certain formations and/or what certain defenses they are running.

Who was the toughest player you have ever faced?

I remember 2 specifically, both in my younger years of college. I ran a route against Navarro Bowman of the San Francisco 49ers and he laid into me pretty nicely, and Tyler Sash at Iowa I remembered he could cover the field and hit with power.

 

 

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

I don’t limit myself to just playing on the inside but I think a Wes Welker or Victor Cruz could be similar comparisons. Obviously those guys are at a much higher level then me right now!

What system fits your style of play the best?

I feel I can play in any system, I am very good with play books but spread offense is where I made my mark in college.

What is your biggest strength?

Catching the ball.

What is your biggest weakness?

Hard to say one thing I need to work at making everything I do better and faster for the NFL.

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

I’m an intelligent player, can catch the ball and get YAC.

Growing up, who was your role model?

I didn’t play receiver until high school so growing up my two role models were LaDanian Tomlinson and Brian Dawkins.

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

I am a hometown guy I root for everything Miami. Miami Dolphins  were my team, and I have to go with Dan “The Man” Marino.

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

Difficult question a lot of great people in history and today’s existence. I would choose Albert Einstein, Bob Marley, and Ferdinand Magellan!

With your first paycheck what would you buy?

With obvious obligations to my family, for myself I wanna buy a Jeep Laredo SRT8 version.

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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