2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jake Whitehead, OG, North Alabama

• Name: Jake Whitehead
• Height: 6’3”
• Weight: 295 lbs
• Position: OG
• College: University of North Alabama
• Twitter: @BigJake58
• Instagram: @whitehead_58

Tell us about your university/college. Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
Our university is one of the nicest I have seen with a lot of instructors wanting the students to strive for greatness in whatever goals they are chasing.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
My teammates will say I’m very reliable and not afraid to speak my mind. 

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set? 
I see myself as a leader to the team and someone they can count on. Offensive guard is the position that suits my skill set 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
Jabril Cox, NDSU

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
The teammates that impress me the most would have to be a group. Our receivers are a special group that bond and push each other to the max day in and day out, and I can not wait to see what the future has in store for them. 

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
JUCO would be the biggest struggle I have overcome in the last few years, being a kid from Alabama going all the way to west Kansas was something I struggled with until I got settled in about a month of being there.

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
If I didn’t play football I would’ve focused more on throwing shot put. It was something I enjoyed and was decent at it the two weeks I trained for it before sectionals. If not that, I could have seen myself being a decent baseball player with the years of training that I spent on football instead.

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement would definitely be all the things I have overcome to be where I am today. Being from such a rural area and still making it out and chasing my dreams is what I am most proud of. 

NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
My most memorable play in my collegiate years would be the first play against Montana. Going out for the game opening drive, hearing the crowd, and just feeling the atmosphere was one of the greatest experiences of my collegiate career. At that moment it was like yeah all this hard work is paying off.

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
I do not have a favorite player model my game after. I watch numerous professional lineman workouts and highlights and study the different things they do and work on. 

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
I listen to all types of music. My favorite artist would have to be Brantley Gilbert, but my pregame playlist is full of Lil Baby and Youngboy.

What is your favorite comfort food?
My favorite comfort food is Mexican food. No matter the time of day or what’s going on I can go for Mexican. I honestly think it is the one type of food I could eat for the rest of my life and never get tired of it. 

Do you have a favorite movie or actor?
My favorite movie of all time would have to be Tombstone. I’m pretty sure I can nearly quote the whole movie. 

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
My spare time in Florence normally comes on the weekends where I hang out with my girlfriend watching Netflix all weekend, but on the chances I get to go home I spend time with family and friends, playing ball with my brothers and having card nights with my mom and brothers.

Who or what motivates you the most?
My mother. Her being a hard worker is what motivates me. She never makes excuses and works harder than anyone you’ll ever meet. Also the fear of not meeting my own expectations is something else that motivates me everyday to be the best I can be in everything I do.