Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Dureal Elmore, RB, Newberry College

Every year, NFL Draft Diamonds brings our readers the best in depth interviews on the internet. We specialize in giving players an opportunity to showcase their talents on our website. We conducted interviews last year with over 300 plus players. We want you to enjoy our interviews, because when these young men are in the league, we will not be surprised, and neither should you. 

What is your name?

Dureal Elmore

What is your Height/Weight?

5’10, 220

What is your position?

Running Back

Where did you play college football?

Newberry College

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

A lot of schools were recruiting me out of High School, mainly Schools from the ACC.

How did you choose your school?

I tore my ACL in the second round of the playoffs my senior year, before any school offered me. Once that happened, I received offers from two of the Division II schools, which were Mars Hill and Newberry College. Newberry College felt like the place where I needed to be, so that’s where it seemed God was leading me!

Where are you from?

Abbeville, South Carolina

Who is your role model, and why?

My Father, because he has played a huge role in molding me into the young man that I am today.

Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?

I haven’t met with them personally, however, I have been advised that a Carolina Panthers scout had asked about me.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Yes, I played baseball for a few years, basketball, and I ran track.

Did you play any other positions in football?

I played Linebacker up until my sophomore year of high school, after that I strictly became an offensive player.

At your position, what separates you from others?

I have the tangibles to be an every down back. I can catch coming out of the backfield, I can pass protect, I can run between the tackles, get tough yardage, and I also have the speed to hit the outside if needed! I feel that the main thing that separates me from others at my position is the ability that I have been blessed with to break tackles and to gain yards after contact.

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

When I break down film I look at it from two perspectives: The run game and the pass game. The first thing I look at is the defensive base front. As a running back, I like to know the defense main base front, how many players they normally play with in the box. I also look for the different stunts and blitz that the defense does with their linebackers and defensive linemen as well as their secondary players. I also look to see how well the linebackers play in the pass game, knowing that is who I probably will be matched up with the whole game. Specifically, I look to see how well they cover in space, if they play drop back in coverage and play zone defense or if they man their linebackers up a lot, I look at their hips to see if they are fluid or stiff in the hips or not. Just little things like that are what I pay attention to.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

That’s a hard question because I feel that I am always able to put out an effort that allows me to meet my opponents strengths with my own. However, based on production/stats the toughest opponent I have faced would have been Michael Gruber-ILB from Brevard.

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

I would have to say Marshawn Lynch, mainly because when he has the ball he runs fearlessly, with a relentless attitude and has the ability to change a game.

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

The biggest obstacle that I had to face in life that I have had to overcome is tearing my ACL my senior year of high school. That changed a lot for me and closed a lot of doors, which changed the route that I had to take to get to where I am today and I thank God for it though! I overcame it by my faith in God! I knew that He had better things in store for me. I just had to trust in Him and invest in the process.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

The only pre-game ritual that I have is praying on the field before I play!

What is your biggest strength?

My work ethic

What is your biggest weakness?

I am my biggest critic, so for me the answer is every aspect of my game, because no matter how good I am or become there is always room for improvement.

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

All I need is one chance, just give me an opportunity and watch me make the most of it! I will be one of the hardest working, if not THE hardest working man in the locker room, and you will not only get a productive player on the field, you will get a student of the game and a suitable representative of your organization off the field, as well!

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

I’ve never had a favorite NFL team, or really one particular favorite player, but I love watching the highlights of the great running backs such as Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson, and Herschel Walker.

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

Jesus Christ, My uncle JT (who died when I was born) and Walter Payton.