NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Roper Garrett, ILB, Southeast Missouri State University

NFL Draft Diamonds has been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the 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 the prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Roper Lee Garrett 

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’1”/ 235 lbs

What is your position? 

LB

Where do you play college football? 

Southeast Missouri State University

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

This Christmas I am helping a family with 7 kids receive Christmas gifts. The family is from my home town and the father is a injured war vet and the mother has a low paying job so they can’t afford very much so I will be helping them out this Christmas with some gifts for all of their great kids.

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

SM540 Legal Aspects of Sport & Physical Activity

Where are you from? 

Farmington, Missouri

Who is your role model, and why? 

My dad Hud is my role model. He is my role model because he defines how hard work and perseverance can overcome any obstacles. My father came from nothing and now he owns his own business and is very successful. He has taught me how nothing is ever given, and you have to work for everything you have. He has also taught my brother and I the importance of giving back to the community and doing things for others.

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

Yes, I played soccer until I was in Middle School. I also played baseball and basketball throughout High School.

Did you play any other positions in football? 

I played both running back and linebacker in High School, and when I was really young I played quarterback.

At your position, what separates you from others? 

My instinct for the football, my side to side speed, my football IQ and my work ethic.

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

I look for player and play calling tendencies.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

Jimmy Garoppolo from EIU, who is now the backup quarterback for the New England Patriots.

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

Sean Lee from the Dallas Cowboys. He has great instinct for the football and always pursuits the football. He also has a good football IQ, and works hard to make plays.

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

Being a walk-on and eventually earning a full ride scholarship. I overcame this obstacle with hard work and perseverance. I never let being a walk on hold me back and I made sure that I never gave up even during times when I may have been overlooked.

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

I don’t really have any pre-game rituals; I just listen to music before the game.

What is your biggest strength?

My resilience. No matter what the obstacle is I face it head on and do everything in my power to overcome the obstacle. I work hard in every situation and never let things get me down.

What is your biggest weakness? 

 I am a perfectionist, and don’t settle for anything less than the best. There are times when I can have a great game but all I can think about is the one play where I could have done things differently. Some people may see that as being hard on myself but it is also what keeps me striving to get better and better.

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

That your team is not just going to get a great player on the field but off the field as well. Also that I wont just push myself but I will push everyone around me to be the best player possible because football is about doing things to help the team not just yourself.

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

Packers

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

Jesus, Vince Lombardi, and Warren Buffett

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

Something for my parents for everything they have done to help me along the way.

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