2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jaiveon Gardner, DL, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
- Name: Jaiveon Gardner
- Position: Defensive Line
- College: Southeastern Oklahoma State University
- Height: 6’2
- Weight: 270
- Twitter: sappp_91
- Instagram: sappp_90
What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2023 NFL Draft?
I have a high motor. Very versatile can play any position on the defensive line, and I have a good football IQ
At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?
At the age of 10
What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?
I am a team player, I study my opponents well, and always trying to figure out what I need to work on to be better
If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?
To kids and families in need, such as homeless shelters, and foster care
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Run after your dreams like a lion runs after deer
Who was your childhood hero?
My mom and dad, they sacrificed alot for me and my siblings growing up
Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?
Katrell Blakely, Deundre Wheeler, Dau’Quawn Montgomery
What is your biggest pet peeve?
I don’t like to be lied to or don’t sugar coat nothing with me be blood cut raw
Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?
The hardest moment of my life was coming out of high school with no offers but Juco and finishing JUCO and not knowing if I was going to be able to continue to play football anymore because I haven’t gotten any offers yet
Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?
Sosu holds a special place in my heart because it was the only school willing to wait a year on me because I gad to go back home to Florida to take care of my grandad and they allowed me to do that and still come be a part of the family here, and when I got here everybody took me right in as a family
What is your favorite snack food?
Hi-chew candy
What is the best part of football?
The best part of football is knowing that you get to go to war with your brothers day in and day out from practice to games to even school work.
If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?
Great guy on and off the field, who in between the white lines I always play with an edge and something to prove.
If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?
Cameron Jordan
If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?
- Kobe Bryant- Always been my all-time favorite basketball player because I want to sit down with him and talk about having that killer instinct.
- Aaron Donald- Because he is the best defensive lineman to come through the NFL and I want to know how he worked to perfect the small details.
- Inky Johnson- is one of my favorite motivational speakers and I just want to talk to him and know how he came through adversity and kept pushing.
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