2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: John Ejizu, DB, Missouri Southern
- Name: John Ejizu
- Height: 6’0
- Weight: 201
- Position: DB
- College: MISSOURI SOUTHERN
- Twitter: @KJDIEOBI
Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?
• I’m from Carson California. And unlike most cities we’re pretty laidback and cool with each other. It’s a big family vibe we have in the Del Amo area. We all grew up together and to this day look out for each other. And everyone is happy for each other’s success.
List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?
• Film study is first. People love to say that the best football players have that instinct well that’s false they’ve just studied so much film to the point they recognize that certain play. Then I’d say practice. If you do practice the right way you can’t get better and perfect your craft. And last I’d say conditioning and strength football is a game of imposing your will on another player. If you’re not strong enough to impose your will it becomes a lot harder to win games. I’m all fairness these are like the three branches they’re all checks and balances to one another.
What do you worry about, and why?
• I worry about my future the most. I want to leave an impact on others lives and I want my family to live good lives. I don’t want to be a failure.
Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?
• I’d like to say my junior season last year. I just failed myself and team the most as I didn’t make the impact on the season I expected to make. This whole year I’ve been working my butt off. I’ve been in the film room with my coach every day, lifting and running every day to become a great player and teammate for my school.
What do your teammates say is your best quality?
• I’m a very smart player. I learn concepts very quickly and can diagnose plays quickly.
Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
• My cousin Xavier Ubosi. The man does it all as a receiver very athletic and very physical loves to block for his teammates and can score in a heartbeat. (He’s signed with the Patriots atm)
What would your career be if you couldn’t play football?
• Id definitely is a sports show host. I love sports and I love having sports debates with my friends.
Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?
• This is more so of a whichever one I’m closest to. Also whichever one I see is dirty first is what I’d clean first. I’m a clean freak and I dislike seeing messy and dirty things around me.
If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?
• It’s got to be a family member. My family has always taken very good care of me and have always pushed me to be the best I could possibly be so definitely them.
If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?
• Legolas from the lord of the rings. The man was very fast and light on his feet. He can see things from miles away and he was unnecessarily strong. He also was a very fast learner. If he played football he’d be the goat.
Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?
• Not being able to play football in high school. My mom didn’t want me playing sports in high school just wanted me to focus on school. Then I went Juco and played football and that kind of distanced me with me, mom. She was fond of me playing and I went through with it and she’s very much proud that I made a decision for myself to do something I loved.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
• The one time I went to universal studios with my family and some pretty tourist girl asked me my name and I forgot my name.
What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?
• In junior college, I came off the edge blitzing missed the tackle got back up and chased down the running back and punched the ball loose from behind to save the touchdown. And I remember telling my teammates I was going to force a fumble that game. It was also the first game of the season.
What song best describes your work ethic?
• Can’t leave without it 21 Savage. When I start something I finish it. I’m not the type that gives up on what I start I see it through.
What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level?
• I’d say the smarts is the most important. The next level guys are faster and stronger but the best of the best are the smartest players. The ones that understand and process things very quickly.
If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?
• My grandpa. That’s the only person in my family I haven’t met. I’d just want him to see how his family is doing and what a great job his wife did with the kids when he passed away.
If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it?
• The Big Steppers. It’s just a name me and my friends and teammates used to call ourselves when we did something cool. And that name is a great fit.
Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?
• Eric Weddle to me is very underrated. This man is one of the smartest players in today’s game. I don’t consider him an athletic phenomenon but somehow he’s literally where ever the ball is at almost every play. And to be playing as long as he has in the safety position and still making plays I commend him.
Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?
• Id rather is respected. Throughout high school and college, I’ve learned that respect goes a long way in life than liked. I’d rather have people who can call me out when I’m wrong than having yes men in my corner.
What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?
• Sean Taylor. The man was on his way to become legendary. He had 5 ints in 8 games and sadly his life was taken shortly. Everyone to this day would have liked to see how his career would have unfolded.
Do you love to win, or hate to lose?
• I hate to lose. It doesn’t matter what I’m playing or doing but I get upset when I’m not good at it. My friends would all tell you I’m the type that hates losing.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?
• My DB coach in JUCO coach Marquis. Without him, I wouldn’t be playing football at all. He believed in me when others didn’t and went out of his way to help me play football at Juco and helped me get to where I’m at.
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