2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jared Southers, OL, Georgia Tech
- Name: Jared Southers
- Height: 6’ 5”
- Weight: 310
- Position: OL
- College: Georgia Tech/ Vanderbilt
- Twitter: j_southers70
Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?
• What I love most about South Orange, NJ is the diversity the town has and the at home feel that it has. It’s a suburb in North Jersey that has a lot to offer and is a great community of people.
List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?
• Strength and conditioning, film study, practice. Football is extremely demanding physically and as a lineman, it all starts in the weight room. How you prepare your body in the offseason will determine the success you will have during the season. Film study comes next because the film tells you the whole story. Film shows you what to do, how to do it, and why, and it gives you a greater understanding of your opponent. The film holds the answers to the test. What you can pick up on film will put you in a better position to defeat your opponent come gameday. I put practice last not because it lacks importance, but because you can’t step foot on the practice field without first having your body right to play and without knowing what to do. Practice is where you sharpen your craft, but strength and conditioning and film lay the foundation for practice.
What do you worry about, and why?
• I’m not a very worrisome person but the thing I worry about is my preparation. I put in a tremendous amount of time in terms of preparation, but I feel it’s never enough and always try to do more and worry if I’ve done enough.
Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?
• My freshman year at Vanderbilt, I failed my first test of my life. It was humbling, but it showed me I needed to work harder. I went to office hours on a regular basis and put in more time so that I could succeed in the class. If you fail, simply get up and work harder. Failure is one of the greatest teachers out there.
What do your teammates say is your best quality?
• My preparation and willingness to put in the work needed to win. All season I spent my time in one of three places when I wasn’t on the practice field or in class. I would either be in the training room taking care of my body, film room studying our next opponent, or in the weight room getting stronger.Preparation is everything in this game and the difference between winning and losing.
Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
• Playing in the ACC and SEC, I’ve been fortunate to compete against some of the best players in the country every year. But the best player I’ve faced would have to be my former teammate, Zach Cunningham, back when I was at Vanderbilt. Facing Zach in practice every day as a young offensive lineman was very challenging, but it made me a better player.
What would your career be if you couldn’t play football?
• After football, I want to enter the sports marketing industry and work on the brand management and sponsorship side of things. As a recruit, I had to sell myself to potential coaches and universities, which gave me a greater understanding of marketing and a passion for it.
Room, desk and car – which do you clean first?
• My room. I’m a very organized person and take pride in having a clean living space. I don’t like clutter.
If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?
• I would choose one family member. Family is very important to me and takes priority over other people.
If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?
• My favorite show of all time is The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, I’ve seen every episode multiple times, so I’d have to go with The Fresh Prince.
Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?
• The biggest adversity I’ve faced is overcoming injury in this game. Being injured can take you to a dark place, but at the end of the day it will force you to work harder so you can come back stronger and better than ever before.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
• I was kid and we were on vacation in Hawaii. We were in a museum and it was quiet as everyone listened to the guide. I had on a pair of Heelys and kept leaning back on them to pass the time, but I leaned back too far and fell flat on my back.
What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?
• This past season we beat Miami in overtime. We got down to the goal line and punched it in to score and win on the road.
What song best describes your work ethic?
• Work by Meek Mill
What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level?
• My mind and my work ethic/ habits. I’m a smart football player and understand the game very well. I can pick up schemes quickly and breakdown defenses fairly easily. I always try to sharpen my mind in this game and know that I don’t have all the answers, so I am always trying to sharpen my mind and continue to learn more about the game every day. In terms of work ethic/ habits, I am very disciplined and have a process in place to get better every day. I have a process to take care of my body, mind, nutrition, and the many other aspects that go into being a good football player. I’ve always been willing to put in the extra work needed to be great in this game.
If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?
• Muhammad Ali. I’ve always had an affinity for boxing. The sport of boxing requires so much preparation and the mind of a boxer is like no other. I’ve studied many boxers and tried to understand their minds so that I could sharpen mine. It would be great to sit down with Muhammad Ali in order to pick his brain and listen to his wisdom.
If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it?
• The Crib
Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?
• Mitchell Schwartz is a guy who does not get the credit he deserves. Year after year, he consistently beats elite pass rushers and is durable. This past season he fought through injuries the entire year and was still one of the best in the league.
Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?
• I would rather be respected than liked. Respect comes from authenticity. It is easy to put on a front to get others to like you, but its best to be your authentic self regardless of what others may think.
What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?
• I would say Josh Gordon. He’s a guy with once in a generation type talent, but for whatever reason he can’t seem to shake his demons despite all the second chances he’s been given.
Do you love to win, or hate to lose?
• I hate to lose. The pain of defeat lasts longer than the joy of winning. Losses leave a bad taste in your mouth all week until the next opportunity to compete and win.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?
• I would say my parents. They both taught me at an early age that you can be whatever you want to be in life if you’re willing to work for it. The work ethic they instilled in me early on shaped me into the man I am today, and I would not be in this position without them.
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