Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Julian Hayes, RB, Southern Connecticut State University
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What is your name?
Julian Hayes
What is your Height/Weight?
5’10” 210 Lbs
What is your position?
Running back/slot receiver/return man
Where do you play college football?
Monmouth University/ Southern Connecticut State University
How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?
A lot of schools NO OFFERS
How did you choose your school?
Was offered in June by Monmouth only offer
Where are you from?
Middletown, CT
Who is your role model, and why?
My mother, she inspires me to be better and do great things. One of the main reasons I work so hard. Supported three children on her own after a divorce through much adversity.
Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?
Have not met with any.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Basketball, baseball, track
Did you play any other positions in football?
Safety, cornerback, linebacker
At your position, what separates you from others?
My explosion and vision, as well as my knowledge of the game and ability to do it all. Run, Catch, Block anything that is needed at the running back position and then some I can do without having to bring in another back into the game.
When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?
When evaluating myself I look for what I did correct and what I can improve on even on great plays there is always much room for improvement. I look at myself on film as if I do not know myself i.e tendencies, likes, dislikes etc. the reason being so I can evaluate myself with no biases. I do not feel there is a bigger critic than I am of myself. When studying other opponents I like to study there tendencies, strengths and weaknesses, and attack them where I feel they are most vulnerable. I also look for how defenses respond to adverse situations like bad penalties, big plays etc. knowing your opponent from a mental and emotional standpoint is just as crucial as physical.
Who was the toughest player you ever faced?
I’ve played some very elite players before, d1 athletes, NFL players. I cannot recall a player specifically; I can honestly say that while a few good players stand out I cannot name one player that I feel gave me the most difficulties. At running back I face off against the whole defense and all I want is to face the absolute best competition possible.
If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why? I have heard many comparisons before, but I cannot think of any players I am more alike than others. I study the NFL I study running backs I take what I learn from different running styles and what works in this league and put them together into one piece. When looking at balanced backs I think Leveon Bell encompasses this new bread that has all of the attributes you look for in a back. I look to bring that to the NFL, but with even more explosiveness, quickness, and ability to actually line up in the slot and run against linebackers and defensive backs.
What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?
My house was raided my senior year season high school, my brother went to jail, my mother lost her job, and we were evicted out of our apartment all in the same week. I overcame it through football and my teammates, and by being the man of house I knew I had to be strong for my Mother and sister
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
I completely zone out through my music and tap deep within myself, the calm before the storm in the sense
What is your biggest strength?
My explosiveness
What is your biggest weakness?
Turning down the dial on my explosiveness
If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?
I am a natural born leader, I have never been out worked in my life, I push myself harder than anyone I have ever met, I WILL accomplish everything I set out to, I will be one of the greatest to play this game.
Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?
Ladanian Tomlinson-Chargers
If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?
My mother, Jimi Hendrix, Malcolm X
** Julian Hayes is currently doing NFL DRAFT PREP training & rehab under the watchful eye of NFL Combine Expert Brian Martin CSCS & Dr. Matt Cifelli of PARABOLIC Performance & Physical Therapy located in Montclair New Jersey near Met Life Stadium (Home of the Jets & Giants).
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