NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Markus Cook, OL, Jackson 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?

Markus Cook

What is your Height/Weight?

6’2 312

What is your position?

Center

Where do you play college football?

Jackson State University

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

The VA hospital in Jackson Mississippi , you see people that have problems going on that they have no control over . It makes you appreciate the small things in life .

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

Advanced Composition

Where are you from?

Prichard, Alabama

Who is your role model, and why?

My mother, Alicia Cook, she is the most hardworking person that I know . She has always been there for me, and showed me the right way to do things .

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Basketball

Did you play any other positions in football?

Guard

At your position, what separates you from others?

I’m very quick off the ball, and I have a powerful lower body . I also have a very violent punch .

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

Line movement in defense line, stacks show pressure, how the linebackers fit the run, and think of ways my teams can exploit their defense. On the player I’m facing, I like to watch him in the 4th quarter because that’s where most players show what they really do.

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

Maurkice Pouncey, I model a lot of my game after him. I like the way he plays the center position and how he plays violent and finishes defenders .

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Listen to music and pray before I hit the field

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

Some teams will be hesitant to take a chance on a player from a small school because they may feel like I am playing against lesser competition .

What is your biggest strength?

I’m very quick off the ball. I’m very technique sound, and play with violent hands, and can clean the pocket .

What is your biggest weakness?

I don’t have competent knowledge of all the offensive schemes that are used in the NFL.

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

I’m a player who is going to do anything I possible can to help your organization . I will give diligent effort everyday, and I am committed to being the best football player that I can possible be .

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

Player- Michael Vick, Favorite team was the Atlanta Falcons

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

Barack Obama , Kobe Bryant, and Charles Barkley

With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy?

My mother a house