2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Polo Ruiz, LB, Texas Wesleyan

• Name: Elijah Polo Ruiz -known everywhere as Polo
• Position: LB
• College: Arizona/UTEP/ Texas Wesleyan
• Height: 6’3″
• Weight: 220
• Twitter: @PoloRuiz_
• Instagram: @top.opp7

What makes you a top prospect at your position  in the 2023 NFL Draft?

I feel as though I have a lot of athletic ability at linebacker. I think I bring qualities such as speed and quickness and the fact that I can play outside and inside linebacker. I have the ability to put a lot more weight on which I feel also give me the opportunity to be good anywhere on the field.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

Football has always interested me since I can remember although I did not start playing till I was 8 years old.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I do not like the word potential but I feel it is something I have a lot of with the correct resources and proper coaching. I am ambitious and will do anything I need to do to make a team better and contribute.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

If I could donate to one cause I’m the world it would be to help the hungry. I don’t think anyone should be out in the world just fighting to eat although that is the world we live in.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Time heals everything, and to always stand through adversity because the world is going to keep spinning

Who was your childhood hero?

I looked up to my father. He played football as well and I what’s wanted to be like him growing up. I feel as though I have learned some of my greatest lessons from him.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

I am relatively new to the team so I haven’t seen everyone practice but I feel as my entire school is underrated. Being at a NAIA school now and seeing the difference between levels, football is football everywhere and little schools just tend to get looked over.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Not having actions for a plan.  

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

Losing people I love and having two surgeries in high school. These are moments where I felt at my lowest and like I was losing everything I had but these moments taught me lessons and made me who I am today.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

My school is special to me because I feel as the coaching genuinely cares about their players. They wear a lot of hats and the time they put into us to be great will pay off when this season comes.

What is your favorite snack food?

Favorite snack food is oatmeal crème pie

What is the best part of football?

The best part about football is bringing in people from different backgrounds and beginnings and bringing them together for one purpose of winning championships.

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

I put my heart into my work and into whatever I am focused on which Is why no one is better for the job then me.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

Considering the difference in level I can’t compare my game to anyone in the NFL although players I try to take tips from and learn from are Demario Davis, Lavonte David, Bobby Wagner, and Darius Leonard.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Lil Baby, Steve Harvey , and Dwayne Johnson. I feel like I could learn something from all of them that would be valuable for my life and in finding success.