NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Andre Williams, OLB, University of Pikeville

• Name: Andre Williams

   •    Height: 6’

   •    Weight: 240lbs

   •    Position: OLB

   •    College: University of Pikeville

   •    Twitter: @Socks_Sandals15

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

   •     My hometown of Louisville, Kentucky is a very beautiful place because it’s got plenty of history and icons that come from Louisville like Muhammad Ali and Ray Allen. What I love most about the city is it’s where my family is.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

   •     Film study, practice, strength and conditioning

What do you worry about, and why?

   •     I worry about my grandparents, I’ve always been apart of their lives and I know that have a huge part in raising me.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

   •     I remember my junior year state wrestling tournament and I lost my first two matches and was done with the tournament. I took it as a point where I couldn’t rely on anyone else to get me on the podium with the top wrestlers in the state. Then my senior year came, I had to prepare my mind and body for my last year and I shook the world and got one the biggest upsets of the entire tournament and I took down the previous #1 ranked wrestler in KY on my way to finally be able to stand in the podium as a first from my school since 2007.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

   •     My aggressiveness in practice, communication with teammates off the field, and I bring energy and enthusiasm into the locker room every time I walk in.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

   •     I don’t remember names exactly but Point University’s QB was very athletic in my opinion.

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

   •     I would be a strength trainer because I love being in the weight room and it’s important to know how to lift weights correctly in order to get the right outcome that you want.

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?

   •     Desk, Room, Car

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

   •     One family member, family is all we have in this world and I would do anything to save my family life over my own or anyone else’s.

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

   •     I’d be Dr. Strange, it would be amazing to learn wizardry and to use it to help the world be a better place.

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

   •     Biggest adversity I’ve ever had was having the opportunity actually play football here at University of Pikeville as a redshirt. I came here as a freshman with 0 offers and 0 looks from high school so being able to say that I did what people said I couldn’t, makes the feeling even better. Especially if I can get my shot at playing at the next level.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

   •     I remember I was in 5th grade I was riding rollerblades with some friends down the street, when my mother yelled my name out so loud that it scared me so much I actually made myself slip forward and fall backward in front of like 6 other people.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

   •     My first forced fumble against Point University.

What song best describes your work ethic?

   •     Heat Stroke by Montana of 300

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

   •     Ability of taking notes and film watching. Learning my opponents’ weaknesses, and even watching film to learn and see what I can do better technique wise on each play.

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

   •     Bernie Mac, he’s my favorite comedian and I know he’d always keep me laughing with all the conversation and stories we’d talk about. When I watch Bernie Mac on his tv show or in any of his stand up comedies, I’m always glued to the tv.

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

   •     The Get Down

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

   •     Jadeveon Clowney

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

   •     Respected, because there’s already a few people on the world that don’t like me so I don’t stress for people’s likes. But if I don’t have your respect, I’ll earn it one way or another.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

   •     Ray Rice, because personally I don’t see anything wrong with parental discipline when it’s needed. It’s a priority when it comes to raising any child especially bringing up a young man into the world.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

   •     I hate to lose, I like winning but putting in the work in all week, leaving everything out on the field, and still losing the game. I don’t like losing at all.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

   •    My big cousin Delvon, he was my brother that I never had. I always loved to spend time with him and ride around in his car with him going to different places and meeting new people. He was older than me by like 6 years, but he helped me with things my mother couldn’t while I was growing up. I still write him letter to this day until he comes back home.