NFL Draft

Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Thomas Winters, WR, Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Thomas WintersDraft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Thomas Winters, WR, Arkansas Pine-Bluff

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Ball State, Eastern Illinois , and Northern Illinois 

Where did you choose and why?

I wanted to go to Illinois out of high school they gave their last scholarship up and the last school had there offer was University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff I chose and stayed because of the WR coach Craig Raye taught me so much with being a Receiver now I am a elite Receiver because he taught me the game he spent a lot of time teaching me how to run routes how to study film

What were your goals for your senior year?my goal was to catch for 800+ yards I didn’t catch for 800 because I was hurt and sat out a full season and I was dealing with getting a Sixth Year of Eligibility due to our compliance I ended up catching for 291 yards after I sat out the first 6 games of this season 

Have any scouts met with you, and if so what are they saying? I haven’t met with no scouts personally but the raiders and bills showed a little interest I just need help with a little more exposure because talent I know I can play Because I Grew up playing with my cousin Terron Armstead of the New Orleans saints we always talk and he tells me yea all you need is a little more exposure talent is  not the thing for you we know you got that.

At your position, what separates you from the others?

I am a good route runner a hard worker and my ability to make people miss when I get the ball in my hands and exceptional speed 4.4 and I’m going to block 

Tell us what you look for when breaking down film?

When I am watching Film I look for coverage tendencies in case of my route if zone I may have to sit in open space rather than if it’s man I keep running through the play creating separation 

Who was the toughest player you have ever faced?

Might have been when I was in high school former running back for University of Illinois Jason Ford When I played CornerBack at Cahokia High School but we always ended up beating them in great games 

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

I would say more of a Dexter McCluster because since I start playing Receiver in college that’s who everybody says I play like/remind them of, but my Personal Opinion is Steve Smith because that’s my fav Receiver and he is my size he is physical and fears none on the grid iron and that’s me I’m physical relentless going to give it my all every play catching breaking tackles or running through someone just gods gift 

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

When My Grandfather use to walk miles and he paralyzed he was a all state RB and went to the army and ended up being in Vietnam war he finished and however It was grand father always got up to walk miles because of no cars sometimes or other family at work he use to limp walking more than 2 and 3 miles sometimes where we are from Centreville Illinois basically east St. Louis but since I was a young boy I always told myself I was going to handle my business enough where I can be the leader of my family so I decided to go to college and play football because I was a good basketball player I averaged 20 points in high school in basketball but I knew where I would be more successful and that was football

What system fits your style of play the best?

Maybe a quick system maybe Patriots, Panthers, Eagles ,Colts style of play and now the NFL play books and styles are opening up to my style of play now and players like me 

What is your biggest strength?

Quickness to get to where I need to be 

What is your biggest weakness?

I didn’t get a lot of publicity in college 

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

I will come to work everyday knowing that anyway can be my last play and my last day I will bring heart and determination and I will be one of the hardest workers on your team because I came from a small program so I know the work you put in you get out I’m a big fan of god and he knows the faith that I have in myself 

Growing up, who was your role model?

My mom and dad because no matter what through our struggles in life they always did whatever to make me happy and help me get to where I wanted to go they were behind all my decisions in life 

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

The Patriots because Tom Brady is who I’ve always wanted to play with he is the QB you would want to play 

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

Saw my uncle get hit by a truck and lost his life it humbled me In so many ways because my uncle always went over board to try help our family and it hurt me seeing my uncle leave like that but god showed me he is the key keep god first 

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

Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady, and Martin Lawrence 

With your first paycheck what would you buy?

The first thing I would probably be saving for is a Car 

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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