NFL Draft Diamonds Free Agent Interview: Jeff Ejekam, Athlete
Hello, I am @jrberendzen on Twitter and this is one of my free agent interviews where I ask very deserving free agents questions about the players themselves and about what a team would get in these players. All of these players should get picked up by NFL, CFL, and XFL teams and get a shot at being a career football player. So I hope you all read this interview and follow his journey on Twitter @JeffEjekam.
1.What are your favorite moments from your football life?
I would say it was a three series starting with snapping our 20 year losing streak to Navy back in 2016, winning the Commander-In-Chief Trophy beating Air Force and Navy in 2017, then winning the Armed Forces Bowl game against Rashaad Penny and San Diego State that same year. It solidified the turnaround of the Army Football program.
2.What do you hope to achieve as a football player going forward?
Right now I just want an opportunity to showcase what I know I can do. From there I want to show teams how valuable of a player and teammate I am for their organization.
3.If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?
Chad Johnson or Calvin Johnson. Chad Johnson because of how exciting of a player he was. His personality is so unique and frankly he stars on my favorite podcast “I AM ATHLETE” so just seeing the information he puts out is amazing. Calvin Johnson because he was an option WR like I was in college and to see how successful and dominate he was I would love to pick his brain. He is one of the major reasons I wore the #81 with so much pride.
4.What is your mindset when you are on the football field?
Play every single play like it is the last snap you will ever play. Your next play is not guaranteed. The opportunities are limited. You have to perform as if you will never play the game again. I always go 110% whether is on blocking, route running, special teams, etc.
5.What has been your biggest challenge in life?
I would say attending West Point was one of my largest challenges. Balancing school, football, and military duties was a tough task. Not to mention all the adversity I faced and went through while attending the Academy was just a lot. In the end I came out a better person than when I went in and that’s exactly what the Academy and playing football at West Point will do.
6.Rank focus,footwork and skill based on what is most important to you as a football player and explain why?
Focus, skill, and footwork in that order because in order to really sharpen your craft you have to be focused. Focused on your assignments and craft because if you don’t know the plays how can you play. Skill next because you have to be able to play the game. Lastly footwork because I believe it serves as an additional weapon on the field. Footwork requires focus and skill to perfect.
7.What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?
I fell in love with the game when I was 6 years old. The feeling I got from contact, making a play on the field was like a rush I never felt before. I knew this was something I wanted to do for a very long time. As I became more and more of a student of the game it simply became a lifestyle. Football is a part of who I am.
8.What is your favorite stadium that you’ve played in?
Aside from the Army Navy games at Lincoln Financial and M&T Bank Stadium I would say Yankee Stadium was pretty cool to play in. Ohio State stadium is up there as well.
9.What do you think is the key to success on the football field?
Playing as a team. As an option WR I had to learn that the hard way. You cannot be selfish or you will not play. You have a role and a part to play in the success of the team and you have to play it to the best of your ability. One of the greatest lessons learned playing at West Point was I can impact the game whether the ball was in my hands or not. Blocking at my position is just as important.
10.What would a team get in a player like you?
One of the most versatile players they have seen. I can play any position from TE, WR, to H-Back. I have the speed and explosiveness to match up with DBs and the strength to play a key factor in the trenches. I played a majority of my time in the trenches as a 215lbs WR blocking but still made an impact in the passing game when I was matched up with DBs. I am a hard worker. I’m only one way and that’s all out. I will give full effort every single snap. I know what it takes to win a team game. I know what it takes to be a teammate. With my 18 years of football and my current service to the Army, I know what it takes to lead a team and unit.
11.What is your favorite workout?
Power Cleans because it is a true test of full body lift. Test your coordination, speed strength, and explosiveness.
12.What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?
I’m like the energizer bunny. I’m always ready fired up and ready to go. I love having fun on the field but I also play with my hair on fire. I love competing and I absolutely love the atmosphere football brings me. Physical, punishing, and combative sport where the better prepared man wins. I’m a pretty wired player.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com