Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Taylor Russell, DT, Stonehill College
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What is your name?
Taylor Russell
Where do you play college football?
Stonehill College
How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?
I was recruited by several teams in the NE-10 and also UNH and UMass
How did you choose your school?
Stonehill gave me an opportunity to go into a science field such as physics and start playing on the field early in my college career.
Where are you from?
Keene NH
Who is your role model, and why?
My role model is my father because has always been there for me through anything and he has both supported and pushed me to reach my goal of playing in the NFL
Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?
None yet.
YOU CAN VIEW TAYLOR’S SENIOR YEAR HIGHLIGHTS HERE
Did you play any other sports growing up?
I played soccer, baseball, basketball and lacrosse
Did you play any other positions in football?
I played offensive line and tight end
At your position, what separates you from others?
As a Defensive Tackle I and very quick with a long 320 pound frame
When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?
I look for weaknesses in match ups that I can exploit on game day. And for film of myself I am always looking at the little things I can improve on.
Who was the toughest player you ever faced?
The toughest players are always the centers, and I would have to say my Center at Stonehill Lucas Brum. We knew each other weaknesses so it made practice interesting
If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?
I would say JJ Watt he is a disrupted and has the long frame like mine. We both bat down a lot of passes
What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?
I think the biggest obstacle I had to overcome was coming from a smaller town in NH and trying to get myself out there to get recruited in college. I had to send out tape after tape and go on visit after visit to try to get noticed.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
My biggest pre game ritual is putting 603 on my wrist tape to show tribute to where I came from along with the initials of both my grandfathers who passed away when I was young.
What is your biggest strength?
My size and quickness
What is your biggest weakness?
Because of my height I tend to stand up after coming off the ball
If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?
I never quit
Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?
Teddy Bruschi and the New England Patriots
If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?
Steven Hawking, Steve Jobs, and Michael Jordan
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