2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jahkari Grant, QB, Virginia Union University
- Name: Jahkari Grant
- Position: QB
- College: Virginia Union University
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 200 lbs
- Twitter: @Jahkari_grant3
- Instagram: @jahkari_grant5
What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?
I just naturally gravitated toward the game. My friends and my brother used to play in the neighborhood all the time and I just fell in love with it.
What are your favorite moments from your football life?
My favorite moments in my football life was when we beat bowie state at their home field. Also my first start was a night to remember. I went 15/20 300 yards and 4 passing touchdowns. I would say those are my top two. A close third would be us driving down to Valdosta and beating the #2 team in the country at the time.
What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?
As a player I want to play professionally and I want to be able to help out my family because they made so many sacrifices for me to get where I am now.
If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?
I would probably want to meet Warren Moon. I choose him because he was the first black qb in the hall of fame. I feel like as a fellow black qb he would have a lot of knowledge that he could pass down that would help me on my journey.
Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?
I can’t pick one person in my family that inspires me most because my family is very important to me and whenever I need motivation I just think of all of them and I know that they are cheering for me from afar. Like I said previously as a whole they’ve made sacrifices for me and nothing I can do will repay that but I will do what I can to try.
What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?
My favorite scheme would be the spread offense. I enjoy making the defense have to cover every inch of the field horizontally and vertically. With that being said I have to skill set to perform well under any system.
What should we know about Jahkari Grant the person?
Jahkari Grant the person is a pretty chill guy who is very goofy and like to have a good time with his friends and family.
What stands out about your film the most?
I would say from watching me play you would see that I’m a true competitor and I play winning football. So any team that gets me will have gained someone who can contribute to a winning culture or help build a winning culture.
How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?
I handle my challenges on the field by communicating with my coaches and fellow players on the field. If I have a bad play or something bad happens during the game I just scrap it and move on to the next play. I firmly believe that no game is over as long as there is time on the clock. In life I would leave my problems up to prayer or I would confide in people that are family or in my close circle of friends.
What would a team get in a player like you?
A team would get a natural leader. Someone who can motivate and bring along his teammates. Someone who guys like to play with and for. I’m very coachable and love to learn more about the game. I am a winner and an insane competitor.
What do you love the most about the game of football?
I love the strategic part of the game. The film study, gameplan, and adjustments that go into it. I love the competitive nature of the game because like I said before I’m a natural competitor.
Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?
The most underrated player I played with is probably James Jackson. He was a senior wide receiver I got the privilege to play with this season. He may not be the most physically imposing but he has good speed and is one of the smoothest route runners I’ve seen. Not to mentioned he had the best hands on the team.
Hula Bowl Contributor and Writer/Scout/Interviewer for Draft Diamonds since January 2020. You can find me on X at @jrberendzen and Instagram at justinberendzen