2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Julien Gums, RB, Nicholls State

• Name: Julien Guns
• Position: Running Back
• Height: 5’9″
• Weight: 218 lbs
• School: Nicholls State University
• Level: Division I FCS – Southland Conference
• Twitter: gumsju28
• Instagram: jugums28

Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?

Major: General Studies

Minor: Psychology 

Football takes up a lot of my time so I didn’t pursue extracurriculars 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

Being a leader – showing the other guys I’m always there whenever they need a hand. 

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?

Role: whatever is needed – I’m not a selfish guy and we rotate at the RB position. I want to be the best teammate possible.

RB position is very fun – we get to do a lot of stuff on the field and we are very versatile offensive players. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

Donniel Ward-Magee, DB, Southeastern Louisiana – rarely missed tackles.

Kelechi Anyalebechi, LB, Incarnate Word – extremely physical on every down. Great size as well.

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

Kohen Granier, quarterback – a leader in every aspect of the game and really brings the team up to their best level possible. 

The entire offensive line – they deserve a lot of credit for letting me become the player I am today

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

I got injured on the sidelines last season and it took me a long time to get through the healing process. I didn’t know when I was going to come back and I knew I couldn’t rush things – even though I wanted to play badly. 

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

I used to play AAU basketball for a few years in high school – I would happily do it again. 

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

I’m going into my fifth year at Nicholls – I am defining my own legacy and aiming to become the program’s all-time leading rusher. I want to show my talents at the next level and I feel like I have set myself up well to do that. 

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.

First game in my freshman year against Lamar – I had to step in for an injured RB. Backed up at our own 28, I got the ball and broke three tackles for a 68-yard touchdown. I knew I was going to be great for a long time after that. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?

Saquon Barkley – loved the way he played the game and was able to bounce back after multiple injuries. Equally effective as a pass-catcher when compared to his ground abilities.

Jonathan Taylor – he rushed for 2,000 yards in his last year at Wisconsin and I knew that was something I could do myself. 

What gets you “pumped up” before a game?

Knowing that my family is going to be there watching – win or lose they will always have my back. 

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?

I like to cook – especially at breakfast time. Also play COD, 2K, and Madden on my PS4. I take the game seriously. Love to workout when I don’t have school work to complete. 

Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?

I didn’t get into football early and I had to convince my parents to play. Every year I kept pushing and never quit – I love football more than ever now, having played four years of it at the Division I level. 

Other notes: 

In high school I played quarterback – I had played running back for my entire life before that. As a bigger guy, I still ran the ball quite a bit and that’s what I enjoyed most. I knew things were going to change in college as almost all schools recruited me as a running back again. Nicholls State was my only true offer – all of the other programs were simply “looks” who never made the next step to come and get me. I’m very glad they gave me a chance. Didn’t get a lot of touches right away and started to have some doubts. Stayed patient and eventually worked my way up the ranks. It’s always been a very fun experience but there are still a lot of things I want to accomplish during my last year at Nicholls.