2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Sheldon “Shed” Watson Jr., DB, Carleton University

• Name: Sheldon “Shed” Watson Jr 
• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 205
• Position: DB
• College: Carleton University 
• Twitter: shed_jR

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

• I’m from a small East Texas town called Palestine Texas. Where’s it’s only one or two players make it to the highest level of competition every decade. What I love most about growing up in Palestine is the competition level the nearby talent in the surrounding towns made me a way better player competing against some of the best out of east texas.

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

• 1-Practice is most important because it’s nothing like getting good physical and mental reps before a game. Gets you ready like nothing else. 2- Strength & Conditioning if you can’t compete and run a long period of time and play at a high level. It’s no reason to even be trying to play on the field with the best of the best if your not in your best shape possible. Your body is your brand and business. 3- Film Study it’s important because it gives you an advantage on your opportunity helps your read tendencies to makes a faster read to react and make highlight plays to change the outcome of the game.

What do you worry about, and why?

• My biggest worry is knowing that I come from a small school and I get overlooked and don’t receive an invite to get a chance to compete in the NFL with the most elite athletes in the world. With me knowing I have enough talent and speed to survive in the NFL just need a chance.

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

• My biggest failure was losing all of my D1 scholarships because of my grades. If I applied my self in high school I believe my college career would have went a lot better. I would have been able to play at a bigger school on a bigger platform probably would not be worried about getting my chance at the NFL. Even though I lost at that moment it taught me a lesson and I went into college with a straight head and refused to do the same thing twice. I ended up graduating and getting a bachelor degree in sports management in four years. I left high school with a 2.4 GPA. I graduated college with a 3.5 GPA. I also received an GAC conference all academic award. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• They would say I was a great teammate. My best quality would be that I know my playbook every position. If they need help they could ask me and I’m going to give them great feedback to help them shine on the game field no matter pre snap or on the practice field installing a game plan. I feel like if I make the players around me better players by communicating and taking the thinking away then they could play faster and also hold me accountable. Most of the time Im going to show up to make a difference in the outcome on the play. 

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

• David Moore he went to East Central Oklahoma and he had a nice game against us.He ended up getting drafted and playing for the Seahawks.

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

• I would be a coach give my knowledge I have learned to the youth to give them a better opportunity to prosper in life. Until I get enough money to start my own training facility and try to build up a brand as big as gold foot global or db precision. 

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

• 1- Room because that my living space I’m spend to much time there. 2-Car Because any time someone gets into your car that’s pretty much their first impression of you. 3-Desk is last only because work is about performance and execution not how clean your desk is. Although I do like a clean work area.

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

• Family because that’s who I grind for everyday of my life to see my family in a better situation. As long as my family is good I’m good 

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

• I would be Ed from Ed edd and eddy the cartoon on Cartoon Network. I say him because every morning he got up with a plan to better him self and friends. He lead his group everyday and tried to get to his goal by buying a jaw breaker candy no matter how many times he failed he always tried again. It relates to me because of how often I grind. Also how big I dream and want to do good in life. 

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

• My biggest adversity was at the beginning of one of my teams biggest games on the schedule. The offense went out first but end up turning the ball over. This is a flexbone offense we was competing against so they where kind of a power house. Me being the free safety I was the high safety in the defense and was not reading my keys. I ended up coming up on on the run and it was a play action pass. They hit me on the first play for like a 50 yard bomb for a touchdown. It was 100 percent my fault and I had to be the difference maker in the game. I ended the game with 8 tackles 1 pass break up 2 Interception one inception was to end the game. These plays can be seen on my career highlight on YouTube. I also won the conference player of the week and might have been one my best games in my entire career.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• The time I caught a full body cramp after one of my football games. I thought I was smart because I didn’t want to drink water because I didn’t want it to slow me down it was an intense game. Afterwards it caught up with me we was in the locker room showering and getting dressed to go home. I just had got back to my locker after a shower and was joking with teammates about catching cramps and not even ten seconds later my cramps started. Keep in my I never got a chance to put on my clothes so I was laying on the ground completely locked up naked. My teammates was around me they thought I was joking but then they realized it was serious and got me help. That was the last time I turned down a water bottle now I make sure I never dehydrate myself like that ever again. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• When I broke my school record for the Longest interception returned for touchdown. I went for 100 yard pick six against Oklahoma Baptist University. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

• Rod Wave- chip on my shoulder 

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

• My confidence because I know how much work I put in behind closed doors that no one gets to see but me. I know when I get around other elite talent I know my work ethic will show up and I’ll be able to perform on any field. 

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

• Nipsey Hussle I’m not a big fan of his music but his mindset. He had to mindset of can’t nothing stop him but himself and that’s the type of thinking that motivates me to get up a grind every day. It’s not a “I have to” type of situation more like “I got too” because if I don’t who will.

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

• Truth because if u come to my club I would want you to be true to yourself and your surroundings. Let people be free to be themselves. To each it’s own. 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• Eddie Jackson the man makes plays and is a game changer but doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. Really one of the best in the league.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• Respected because you don’t have to like me to respect who I am. I want you to know my purpose and what I stand for. Then to be liked by every body because I’m not trying to please everyone just myself and the team I’m representing. 

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

• Shawn Oakman because the female lied on him about an sexual assault and completely ruined his career. I hate for anything to happen like that for any athlete that was lied on and was put into a situation that’s hard to get out of. Knowing how much work we put in just to get it taken away from you and it be completely out of your control. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I love to win more than I hate to lose. Most loses can be fixed through practice and preparation for the next battle. It’s just more work needs to be done. Next game it has to be better execution and more drive to get back on the right path. Loses or more of lessons and I don’t hate to learn something new. 

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

•My Dad since a young age he has been pushing me to my limits. He is a huge reason for how I become the player I am today. Without him I don’t see myself having NFL dreams. He installed being great or be forgotten into my head and I think about it everyday.