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2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Rani Abdulaziz, DB, Rutgers University

2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Rani Abdulaziz, DB, Rutgers University
Rani Abdulaziz the standout defensive back from Rutgers University recently sat down with Justin Berendzen of NFL Draft Diamonds.
  • Name: Rani Abdulaziz
  • Position: DB
  • College: Rutgers University
  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 190 lbs
  • Twitter: @raniabdulaziz32
  • Instagram: @rani.abdulaziz

What made you decide wanted to be a football player?

I was in elementary school, this was back in 2008 and the Giants just defeated the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Growing up I was a soccer player and I honestly didn’t know much about football until after that game. I remember watching the parade and it was amazing. Witnessing that made my passion for football grow. That was also the year of the catch by David Tyree as well. Whenever I would be in recess after that game I would try and mimic the catch and that was the play that really made me say I want to be just like him one day. God works in mysterious ways, David Tyree ended up visiting my elementary school after the Super Bowl that year. I was the happiest kid alive. I didn’t want to leave his side. Meeting him was really the moment I knew I wanted to be football player. 

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

Football has this thing about it that you can’t get from any other sport. The camaraderie and brotherhood in a football locker room is unmatched. Some of my most memorable moments are from workouts and practices that you never knew how it was going to end but you just knew whatever it was you were going to do it for your brother. Whether that be during summer work outs, winter workouts, training camp, etc. Those days that were the hardest were the ones that were most memorable moments for me. 

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Always improving. Perfecting my craft. Being able to be 3 steps ahead of my opponents in order to accomplish the ultimate team goal of winning. 

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

I’ve been inspired by so many players growing up. I would love to hang out with all of them and be able to just pick their brains. From Ed Reed to Troy Polamalu, the late Sean Taylor, Tyrann Mathieu, the list really doesn’t stop there. I can go on and on. However, if I have to choose one, I’m going to have to say Ray Lewis. Ray Lewis is someone I just respect so much. His passion and love for football was unmatched. Ray instilled some life lessons in me that no one would ever know and that’s solely off his videos and speeches. The way he played and respected the game was like no other. If you want something in life you have to work for it and that’s something Ray always preached. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work.” The first time I heard that quote was from listening to Ray Lewis speak. So I would love to hang out with him for a day and be able to learn, not only about football, but life as well and a day still won’t be enough. 

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My whole family gives me inspiration. They all mean so much to me. I can’t single any one out and leave the rest without acknowledging them all. Both my parents worked really hard for me to be where I’m at today. They were immigrants and sacrificed their lives and families back home to come to a country where they had no one, in order to help establish a better life for their children. Everything I do is for them. My younger brothers inspire me just as much as my parents. Knowing that they look up to me everyday gives me more of a purpose to keep going. I want them to know that having a strong faith and working hard will help you accomplish whatever you want in life. No matter what our situation was my parents never failed to make us smile and ultimately I just want to be able to do that same. 

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

I love playing in a 4-2-5 scheme. Playing with 5 DBs is extremely fun. There’s so many plays you can call up from zone coverages, pressures, etc. Having 5 DBs on the field at once can confuse some people as well because they’ll think the defense is soft in the run game but untimely that 5th DB is like another LB whose able to play in both the run game and the pass game. I love 3rd Down packages as well. Being in a bear front with 5 down instead of 4 and having maybe 5/6 DBs on the field at once showing pressure and then dropping 8 really makes it difficult on an offense sometimes. There’s just so much you can do when you have multiple DBs on the field.  

What should we know about Rani Abdulaziz the person?

I am a man established by faith. Nothing in my life would be possible without God. Everything I do is to serve the Almighty. I’m very family oriented. I’m also extremely passionate about giving back and helping others. God put me on earth to be able to help others and I’m going to do that in any way possible, football so happens to be that platform that’ll help. I’m also very disciplined in anything I thing I do. I live by a quote that says, “how you do anything is how you do everything.” I have a work ethic that is unmatched and you see it in all aspects of my life not just football. 

What stands out about your film the most?

My film shows that I’m extremely versatile. I can play any defensive back position on the field. I have experience playing all 5 DB positions. I’m a swiss army knife. I can be plugged in anywhere. I can play in the box, cover the post, and line up in man coverage as well. Forcing fumbles is something I have a great knack for. I add value through my play on special teams as well. I was a core special teams player that was used on all units. 

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

Adversity is what made me who I am and what continues to build me into that man I’m going to become. My religion and faith allows me to thank God no matter what may occur and my life. There’s isn’t a challenge in life or on the field that I can’t handle because I was taught to always chop. 

What would a team get in a player like you?

A selfless, determined, hard working player. Someone who is willing to sacrifice whatever it takes in order to help the team WIN. They would get a leader on and off the field. As well as an ambassador who will represent the team in the community on the highest pedestal. 

What do you love the most about the game of football?

Football prepares you for life. It teaches you lessons that the “real world” can’t teach. It allows you to become vulnerable and trust the person next to you no matter what because you both want to accomplish one thing: Win. 

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

The first person that comes to mind is my brother Christian Braswell. CB is one of the most gifted players I’ve been around. Not only that, but someone who knows how to handle adversity. I worked with CB everyday and he’s someone who made me better. There’ll be no surprise to me when he shocks a lot of people this year.

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