NFL Draft Diamonds Free Agent Interview: Keenan Black, Defensive Back

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 on Keenan and follow his journey on Twitter @_kblack

1.Rank focus,footwork and skill based on what is most important to you as a football player and explain why?

I believe focus comes first , you have to be mentally prepared for any type of operation that your trying to occur. Rather that’s preparing for a game or getting ready for practice. You want to have full attention on your task , if your mind is wandering somewhere else on the field, you will not be able to complete at your full capacity. Secondly, footwork as a defensive back we work on footwork drills all the time its something that you can get better at day by day if you keep working at it. Footwork and technique is a progressing thing that can be worked on. Skill will be last , but its something that can be worked on day by day along with your footwork.

2.What is your mindset when you are on the football field?

Personally my mindset on the field is to win at everything. If it’s making a tackle, covering 1 on 1, blocking a punt or even scoring a touchdown. I’m trying to win every snap of the ball and every possession. Hustle hard and hit with good technique. 

3.What do you think are the keys to success on the football field?

Preparation, mental control , trust in your coaches and teammates. 

4.If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Deion Sanders , Coach Sanders has been around football all his life he knows all around the game. Learning from one of the best defensive backs to play the game can only take my game higher. 

5.What role do you hope to have if you make it into the NFL?

Whatever role I am set to play I’ll stick to that role and make the best out of it. If it’s playing special teams, being a back up or playing for a starting job, either or I’ll be the best at it and stick to that role. 

6.What is your favorite workout?

My favorite workout would be doing position drills. Any type of skill work on the field is my favorite other than that is anything in the weight room. Anything that I can do that translate to a game I love doing. Ball drills, hand & eye coordination drills, speed and quickness drills etc.

7.What do you think sets you apart from other defensive backs?

My athleticism and versatility being able to play safety, nickel and corner. I also can play on all special teams gunner , kick return , punt return. Another is my on field recognition being that I played quarterback I tend to understand what other quarterbacks are trying to do during the situation of a game. 

8.What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I don’t think it was a decision, it was just sort of something that I was born into. Since peewee league I’ve always loved to compete along with having the camaraderie. 

9.What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments has to be the locker room atmosphere. Building relationships with my teammates hanging out around each other in the facility were the best times. The locker room is where you build great bonds and that also translates to the field. 

10.What would a team get in a player like you?

Someone that is commented to the organization, hard worker and ready to work. A person with good character that you do not have to worry about off the field. A competitor that is ready to work. 

11.What do you hope to achieve as a football player going forward?

Just to get an opportunity , I feel though as once I get my foot in the door the sky is the limit. A guy like myself coming from a small school and being the underdog I have to prove the doubter wrong. You can either prove them right or prove them wrong until then I’m going to keep working. 

12.What has been your biggest challenge in life?

Being patient through this whole process on getting to the next level , I believe everything will play out itself I can only control what I can control. Playing the waiting game and waiting on that opportunity is the biggest challenge I would say. Until then I have to stay ready so I don’t have to get ready.