2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: John Pius, OLB, William & Mary

• Name: John Pius
• Position: Outside Linebacker
• College: William Mary
• Height: 6’4
• Weight: 230
• Twitter: john_pius8
• Instagram: john_pius8

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft?

My ability to rush the passer and play fast on my instincts help me believe I can be a top prospect. But it all starts with my work ethic which I feel is unmatched.

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

I would say around age 10, I was a big Redskins fan

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

That I am a hard worker and still have a chip on my shoulder that pushes me everyday. You will get 100% out of me everyday;

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

I would donate to giving students of all grades free breakfast and lunch in public schools.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Someone out there is outworking you everyday and you won’t know it 

Who was your childhood hero?

My Dad

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

I would say Brayden Staib #13 this season. Been a fringe starter, knows the playbook in and out and has been making plays both on defense and special teams. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People that don’t clean up after themselves

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

I would say not being able to play my last senior regular season game in hs. Looking back on that it helped me take more responsibility for myself helped me mature more.

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

I would say my freshman year dorm hall. They put all the freshman football class in my year in one dorm during the covid year. It definitely helped us get much closer to each other and build chemistry.

What is your favorite snack food?

Welch Fruit Snacks 

What is the best part of football?

Playing alongside teammates I can call my brothers 

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

You want a hungry and motivated player that’s ready to compete everyday then I’m your guy. 

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

I would say Brian Burns, I feel like our game is pretty similar 

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

I would say Michael Jackson, Lil Keed and Lawrence Taylor. Dinner with MJ to figure out how he got so good at singing and dancing. Lil Keed because he was my favorite rapper but he passed away. And Lawrence Taylor to see what went through his mind during games and when did he realize he was the GOAT during his career.