2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Hope Adebayo, RB, University of St. Thomas

• Name: Hope Adebayo
• Position: Running Back
• College: University of St. Thomas
• Height: 5’08
• Weight: 200
• Twitter: Hopeadebayo_
• Instagram: Hopeadebayo_

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2025 NFL Draft?

I have been overlooked my whole life. I have never been the top prospect going into a new level. Like High school to college and even college to the pros. But one thing I do know is I will outlast. I will continuously rise to the occasion till it becomes a norm and keep growing year after year. Turn on the film from high school to my freshmen year of college to my senior year. I GROW.

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

I don’t care to prove people wrong, any team that is willing to take me, I will prove them right. My track record has shown that. I know coming from a small school I am going to get overlooked but what the Lord has planned for me, no one can take away.

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

Fellowship of Christian Athletes. They helped me grow in my faith as an athlete and showed me what a life worshipping Jesus looks like. Helped me prioritize looking more like Christ then idolizing football. I would love to donate so other athletes can have similar experiences like UTC!

Who was your role model?

My parents worked so hard to provide for my siblings and I an amazing childhood. Forever thankful for them. Going through this training has been hard but knowing what my parents have endured the last 20+ years, is nothing even close. They are my role models and I’m thankful for that.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Saints and the Vikings.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

Jacob Wildermuth, he is an amazing friend and teammate. We train together everyday. We have gone through our highs and lows together. The things he has done for University of St. Thomas, is 1of1. If you need something done efficiently and the right way, I’m calling on Jdub to get it done! He is a guy that I am thankful to have been apart of his life the last 5 years! Excited to see what the Lord has in store and which locker room he will be in next!

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve are high pitch/squeaky noises. Definitely learning how to love it as my girlfriend makes them all the time. 

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

Prof Hirschey, He taught Strategic Management, a capstone course. He was not afraid to voice his opinions. He taught the class the way a coach would organize meetings and practice. He had so much real world application and you never knew what the day would bring. Hands down my favorite class ever.

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

Going from a 12 TD season my freshemn year to scoring 1 TD the next season and dealing with multiple injuries. My faith and patience got tested! I had to rely on others which does not come first nature to me. The Lord had to take away football to show me how much I worshiped it more then I worshipped Him. He allowed me to see that the game is fleeting but I can find enjoyment in it through Him and Him alone. I am not perfect but one thing I do know is that I am not the same man that I used to be and I am still not the man I am fully called to be yet.

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

Canes, anyone that knows me knows that they have a special place in my heart. Absolutely love a box combo with no slaw, with extra toast and canes sauce.

What is your favorite snack food?

Fruit snacks and rice krispies

What is your degree in?

I have a Major in Business Administration and also a Minor in Computer Science

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

Adrian Peterson- I would love to have dinner with him because he is the GOAT. He was my childhood and the impact he not only had on me but an entire country is one that needs to be studied. I would also love to learn from his failures. A fool is one that needs to experience a lesson before learning it and I don’t want to experience some of the lessons he experienced.

King David- I love the story of David. majority of people know him from Goliath but don’t know the sins he committed later in life. he was not a righteous man by no means BUT the Lord still called him “A man after My own Heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14) I want to just be able to sit down with him and see how he was able to continuously run back into the Lords arms with such humility.

Peter – he denied Christ 3 times. Would love to speak with him about that personally. Talk about how he learned from that and did not run away or hide but lived a life sharing the Word of God that he got Crucified for it. How he transforms one of his greatest failures into a turning point, anchoring his identity in the Lord.

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness is saying Yes. Mainly Yes to good things but I am learning the art of saying No, even to things I enjoy. A hard lesson, but one that will serve me greatly in the future!