2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: JR Stevens, CB, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

• Name: Jr Stevens
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 175
• Position: Cornerback
• College: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Twitter: Jr_Brody7

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

Grew up in Bristol, Pennsylvania. 10-15 minutes outside of Northeast Philadelphia. 

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

Practice- Muscle memory is very important. Work on my footwork, technique, and fundamentals

Film Study- That’s separate the good players from great players!

Strength and Conditioning- The best players played through the first whistle to the last. And can last through an entire regular and post season.

What do you worry about, and why?

I don’t worry about a lot of stuff because I prepare and have faith for most of the things I do in my life. 

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

I almost fail out of school. I had to overcome of passing 2 summer classes (calculus and computer literacy) in order for me to come back to my university. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

On the field- very fast and a great man coverage corner.

Off the field- great friend, treat everybody in the football facility the same.

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

WR Gary Brown (Cal U) in 2016. My redshirt freshman year, he was a senior. Probably was the best player in D2 at the time. 

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

Strength and Conditioning Coach, then eventually moving up and having my own fitness center. 

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

Room, because this is where I sleep at night. 

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

Family member because I knew that person my whole life, and I don’t have a clue of who those strangers are. 

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

I would be Ace from the movie Paid in Full. He carries himself how I do right now. He’s chill, doesn’t talk a lot, and stays to himself and to people he loves. 

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

Biggest adversity in life was the time I almost got kick out of my university because of my grades. It was big eye opener for me because I have to take my academics serious. I had to get an B in calculus and an A in computer literacy that summer. So I couldn’t enjoy my summer like friends were doing. But it made me a better man for today. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

When I was on the freshman basketball team in highschool, there was 5 seconds left in the game. I jump in the air to shoot but I didn’t shoot so the referee called a travel on me. Then we lost the game. It’s funny when I look back at it. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

When I made two goal line pass break ups back to back in 2017 in the Elite 8 playoff game against assumption. Our defense held them to a field goal, so our offense took advantage and score a touchdown to take the lead in the game. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

I remember – Tee Grizzley ft Yfn Lucci. This song because I remember what it took for me to get here. So I should give it everything I got

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

My speed and lateral quickness. Every good defensive back has those traits.

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

My Grand mom, she took care of me when my parents were working two jobs. 

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

Step in the name of Love

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

Marcus Peters, feel like everybody forgot about him after his 3^rd year. Some of my teammates say I play like him. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

Respected, if someone “like” you they can still lie to you and do stuff behind your back. But if your “respected” people will consider that and make them remember who you are.

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

Josh Gordon, if he was consistent on and off the field he will probably be a top five wide receiver. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

I hate losing, when I was younger I was consider a sore loser because I thought I could of win every competition. But that shows you that I always try to do my best, I hate that feeling of losing. 

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

My parents because they were born in Liberia, they struggle and work for me to come to America to make my life better than theirs. So I will want to be successful for them.