2027 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: John Clifford Jr., DB, North Carolina Central

• Name:  John Clifford Jr
• Position:  DB, Safety, Nickel, Corner, Sam Lb, Dime, Defense
• College:  North Carolina Central 
• Height:  6’0
• Weight:  187
• Twitter:  j_clifford21
• Instagram: _realjcliff

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2027 NFL Draft? 

The violence I play with I feel is second to none, being able to play anywhere in the backend as well as in the box really sits me aside from the rest 

Tell me about a time you faced adversity and how you responded?

I say getting expelled from high school my junior year and being told what I couldn’t and wouldn’t do.. long story short look how far I came 

What are your hobbies outside of football? 

Spending time with family and friends. Mostly with my nieces

What role do you see yourself playing at the next level? 

I see my role at the next level being extremely versatile with my ability to blitz, play the run and cover… given all the looks that the NFL defenses like to present I feel that I could play any and all of them whether I’m that safety/corner in a 3-4 system or that nickel overhang in a 4-2-5 system or anything really just dictates on what’s needed

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

Most likely it will have to to do with the children in need I feel like… the biggest impact is made in the youth and without any youth, there’s no future

How do you handle coaching, especially criticism or being corrected repeatedly?

I feel that I am coachable. I’ve been coached by many different coaches at this point in my career so being able to take a little from all and put it all together in my own little way is what helped me get to where I’m at now and hopefully to where I want to be next

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

Aden Miller, the 5’9 180 pound linebacker Defensive player of the year.. not even close tbh

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

1. Kobe Bryant – Mamba mentality
2. Coach Nick Saban – Pick his brain on defense, situations, techniques. Etc.
3. Lastly Tyrann Mathieu – honey badger put on for guys like me.. not the biggest, strongest, fastest but just won’t go away.. extreme competitor

If you were benched tomorrow, what would be the most likely reason? 

Something I said.

Walk me through your typical pre-game routine?

Wake up, do my morning routine, call the family, eat, watch some football, head to the stadium and ball out.. then be ready to do it again next week

What scheme do you feel you fit the best in? 

Nickel and dime defensive systems 3-3-5 / 4-2-5 

What is your degree in? 

Behavioral and Social Sciences 

What would be the first thing you buy with your first NFL check? 

The check amount will determine that 

Describe a time in a game where you feel you made a mistake, and explain how you bounced back?

Sometimes I have a tendency of trying to play too fast. I could overrun plays by beating them to the spot too soon.. so really just understanding leverage more and how to slow down and being able to diagnose on the go has helped me tremendously.

Name three songs, we can expect on your playlist?

If it’s game day them 3 songs gotta be like

1. Lud Foe – Ambition as a rider
2. Chief Keef – Text
3. Young Pappy – Killa