2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Robert Shufford, RB, Birmingham-Southern College

• Name: Robert Shufford
• Position: RB
• College: Birmingham-Southern College 
• Height: 5’9″
• Weight:188 lbs
• Twitter: @CShufford
• Instagram: @chrisshufford03 

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

Just always being around my dad and listening to him tell his football stories. And what all he accomplished. I was able to make it farther than he did because of lack of support.

2. How do you prepare for games?

I literally play the game in my head a thousand times the whole week and work on different techniques or moves. That can be the difference from a 3 yard gain to a 15 yard gain. I try to think about what I need to do in every situation. That way I’m prepared for whatever happens in the game. I have the mindset that the only person that can stop me is me.

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

One of my favorite moments is when we beat Huntington in Montgomery 2018. My high school team came and watched me play. I had 2 TD’s with almost 150 receiving yards to help seal the win.

My other favorite moment is when we beat Berry College at home my junior year. I had 2 TDs for 238 yards rushing against a top 10 run defense. That was my first time really playing against them healthy. Everybody had us projected to lose and were shocked that we won. If you ask Berry’s coach, he’ll tell you they had no answer for me any of the years we played them with me at RB.

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

It would be Reggie Bush because that’s who inspired me to be a running back. I would want to learn how he prepares for a game and what he’s thinking as he is running the football in different situations. It would help me improve my game.

5. What is your favorite workout?

My favorite workout would be power clean or bench. I love to do agility workouts a lot. I have a bunch of videos of me doing ladders and cone drills that I’m going to post soon.

6. What sets you apart from other running backs?

I feel like I have one of the best visions in college football. I am quick and very shifty. I can catch out the backfield and run great routes. I haven’t dropped a pass in a game my entire college football career. Not most running backs can say that. It’s like with me at running back, you’re going to get a show every game. There are no off games for me.

7. What should we know about Robert Shufford the person?

I am a quiet, hard-working, determined, and friendly. I get along with a lot of  people because I am a respectable person. I like to do magic tricks and dance in my free time.

8. Which non football athlete do you learn things from that you bring to football. Who and what?

My dad. He told me this saying, “Never let any man bring you down”. I took that to heart. I also relate that to football. So there will never be just one man bringing me down on a tackle. So if a defense has to rely on one man to make a tackle, he will lose every time.

9. What is a moment that improved you as a football player?

My freshman year at college when I didn’t get the playing time I was looking for. I busted my tail that off-season to make sure that never happened again. I’ve played every football game since I was 6 years old. Until my freshman year of college. That really turned my work ethic up a notch.

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

I’m a game changer and a leader. Put me in the game and watch how the game changes. I’m going to make everybody around me better. I’m a great team player. I do whatever I need to do to help the team get the win. Even if that’s me playing special teams. I’ll do it.

11. What do you love about the game of football?

Football is my happy place. It gives my mind a break from the world. I’ve been studying the game for so long. It’s almost like it’s a part of me. I would play football year round if I could. One thing I love about football is seeing talent come in all sizes. Each individual player brings something to the team that not a lot of people can do and I’m one of them.

12. What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

I’m not a loud rah rah kind of guy but I let my actions do all the talking. My energy is unmatched every practice and game. I’m coming out there with a positive attitude every time but I know this is my job so I’m not going to take anything for granted. Just know they will be getting the best version of me everyday and I’m still going to be looking for ways to bring more energy to football field.