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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Jamal Hayden, DE, Albright College

Jamal Hayden is a hard hitter that forced many fumbles in his career at Albright
Jamal Hayden is a hard hitter that forced many fumbles in his career at Albright

NFL Draft Diamonds and our staff have been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 2 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. We have tons of NFL staff that read our interviews, and we actually received several of the questions from NFL scouts we speak too. This gives them a little bit more information regarding your character. We hope to bring you more than 300 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.

What is your name? 

My name is Jamal Hayden

What is your Height/Weight?

I’m 6ft. 2in 250pds

What is your position?

I play Defensive End

Where do you play college football?

Albright College

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

I volunteer my time at the Boys and Girls Club.

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

The hardest class I have ever taken was statistics

Where are you from?

Hyattsville Maryland

Who is your role model, and why?

My role model is my mother and father they work very hard to be were they are now. They are the only one I depend on and I wouldn’t be at this point in life without them.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Growing up I played a little basketball

Did you play any other positions in football?

In high school I played OL

At your position, what separates you from others?

What separates me from others is I will leave everything on the field. I play bigger than the eye can see. Also my Instincts, I have a natural nose for the ball and can read the play quicker than most players, I have great technique. I use my hands well and I play physical to get off or go through blocks to make plays. I constantly work on handwork and getting off blocks so it becomes second nature. Also being able to understand offenses.

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

When I breakdown film I look for alignment,and technique of the offensive line to see if their leaning forward or backward to see if it’s run or pass, locating the tight ends and how many backs in the backfield.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

The toughest player I’ve faced was Josh Wallace

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

I would compare myself to Michael Strahan, he’s relentless to the ball and is sack monster Since I was young I always watched him play. I would use the moves he used in his game and implement it in my game

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

One of my biggest obstacles in life was tearing my ACL sophomore year. I overcame it by keeping my faith in God and always believing that one day I would be back on that field.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Before the kick-off of each game I sit down on the bench and say a specific prayer to my Lord and Savior

As a small school football player what obstacles do you feel you have to overcome?

Getting exposure and respect for the level we play at. I have to overcome the simple fact that many people are going to look down upon you because you didn’t play D1 ball. There’s good competition at every level, I just need an opportunity to prove myself. Everybody wears the same pads and helmets .

What is your biggest strength?

Biggest strength is I have great feet and hips and that’s key for a Defensive End and my versatility and relentless effort

Jamal HaydenWhat is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness is that I lack height.

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

I would tell you that you won’t make a mistake if you choose me. I’ll be the best decision you ever made.

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

Growing up Ive always been an Atlanta Falcons fan. My favorite player is Julio Jones

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

Bob Marley, Ray Lewis, Michael Jordan

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

The first thing I will do once I’m in the NFL is pay off I would pay off any students loans I have and then any family debt.

Rapid Answers:

  • Tupac or Biggie?
  • NFL Network or ESPN?
  • Coke or Pepsi?
  • Pizza or Burgers?
  • Dogs or Cats?

Damond Talbot

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

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