NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Jerome Lane, WR, University of Akron

 

NFL Draft Diamonds has been providing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed things up a bit. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the draft eligible player. We hope to bring you more than 350 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet our next prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Jerome Lane

What is your Height/Weight?

6’3 220

What is your position?

Wide Receiver

Where do you play college football?

University of Akron

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?

The coolest thing I have done off the field is work with youth sports programs. While in high school I was committed mostly to basketball and I would help out with the youth basketball clinics which was really great to see the young kids so passionate about learning and developing in basketball. Reminded me so much of how I used to be when I was young and trying to prove to my dad that I was a great basketball and would be better than him.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Math

Where are you from?

Akron, Ohio

Who is your role model, and why?

My role model(s) would be my mom and dad. My dad because I always wanted to do what he did, play professional sports and do something better than his infamous dunk so I had bragging rights so that was always a goal. My mom, because she always taught me I had enough examples within my family and I never needed approval from anyone but God. I could get 100 No’s but I only needed 1 yes from God. I am not living that example. She would never let me quit at anything.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Basketball, Baseball

Did you play any other positions in football?

In high school I probably played every position on the field except tackle and center. I even played punter in addition to running back, safety, defensive end, a little bit of QB and linebacker.

At your position, what separates you from others?

I feel what separates me is that I can be utilized in multiple positions. If you put me at punter, running back, safety, linebacker etc. provide me with the training, development and technique, I will continue to develop until I am an effective producer.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

How I can get better

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

I’m not sure, I will let you know after my first season in the NFL.

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

I’m not sure about this one yet.

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

The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was when my mom got deployed to the Middle East. The fear of her being gone and maybe not coming back, not being able to talk to her on a daily basis, listening to the news, starting my first year of college. All of these things were a major impact on my concentration and focus in school.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Prayer (always)

What is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength is “resiliency” being able to bounce back, shake it off and keep it moving in spite of obstacles and setbacks. Understanding life is not always fair, what are you going to do about it?

What is your biggest weakness?

Being a sore loser. I hate to lose.

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

What day should I report to training camp.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

Browns. My parents are die hard Browns fans and growing up and to this day it’s no different.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Barack Obama, Martin Luther King and 2 Pac

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

A franchise to start my chain of franchises. I can’t have money going out without any residual income coming in.