2027 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: James Monds, CB, Duquesne University

• Name: James Monds
• Position: Cornerback (DB)
• College: Duquesne University
• Height: 5”11
• Weight: 190
• Twitter: MondsJames
• Instagram: James.Monds

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

What separates me from other prospects is my hunger, versatility, and understanding of the game. I’ve played Division I football at multiple programs, which has allowed me to experience different coaching styles, defensive schemes, and levels of competition. I’m a physical corner / Nickel who isn’t afraid to tackle, compete, or line up against the best receiver on the field. I know I still have room to grow, and am putting in that work behind the scenes to reach my full potential. I just need one team to believe in me, and I’ll show them what they’re getting.

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

One of the toughest moments I’ve faced in my life was in 2024, when my grandmother passed away the day before our game against Western Kentucky. It was extremely hard for me mentally and emotionally because I had just lost someone who meant so much to me. But I knew I had a job to do, and I wanted to go out there and play for her. Despite everything I was dealing with, I was able to lock in and finish the game with two pass deflections. That experience taught me a lot about mental toughness, staying focused through adversity, and finding strength even when life gets difficult. It also reminded me that football is bigger than just a game for me. I play for my family and everyone who has supported me throughout my journey

What are your hobbies outside of football?

Outside of football, I enjoy cooking, playing video games like Madden and NBA 2K, and spending time in the gym. I’m naturally competitive, so even when I’m not playing football, I enjoy doing things that challenge me. I also enjoy spending time with my family and finding ways to better myself as a person.

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

At the next level, I see myself being a player who can contribute wherever the team needs me. Whether that’s playing corner, contributing on special teams, or earning a bigger role in the secondary, I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I believe I can be a Swiss Army knife on special teams, being able to contribute on kickoff, kickoff return, punt, and punt return units. I want to be the type of player who can do multiple jobs and make an impact in different ways. I understand that nothing is handed to you in the NFL, and you have to earn your spot every single day. My goal is to come in, learn from the veterans, compete, and show coaches that they can trust me wherever they put me on the field. At the end of the day, I don’t care how I get on the field. I just want an opportunity to prove that I belong in the NFL.

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

I would donate to programs that help underprivileged kids and families who are struggling financially. Growing up, you see how much someone’s circumstances can affect their opportunities. There are a lot of talented kids who never get the chance to reach their potential because they don’t have the resources or support. I would want to help provide those opportunities, especially through sports and education.

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

I believe being coachable is one of the most important qualities a player can have. I’ve played under different coaches throughout my college career, and one thing I’ve learned is that every coach has a different way of teaching. I don’t take criticism personally because I understand the goal is to make me a better player. If a coach corrects me repeatedly, that tells me I need to focus harder on fixing that mistake. At the end of the day, I’d rather have a coach pushing me to improve than one who has given up on me.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

I would say my brother Jaylyn Monds he’s underrated because of the work he puts in when nobody is watching. Everybody notices the players making big plays on Saturdays, but sometimes the guys who push everyone during practice don’t get enough recognition. He’s somebody who makes the team better every day.

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

I would choose Deion Sanders, Kobe Bryant, and my Grandmother. Deion Sanders because he’s one of the greatest cornerbacks ever, and I would want to learn how he approached the game mentally. Kobe Bryant because of his work ethic and Mamba Mentality. He understood that greatness requires sacrifices most people aren’t willing to make. Lastly, I would choose my grandmother because I would want to tell Thank You and just get some more memories with her.

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

It would probably be because I was trying to do too much instead of just trusting my technique and assignment. As a competitor, you always want to make the big play, but playing defensive back requires discipline. Sometimes the best play is simply doing your job and trusting the other ten guys on the field. That’s something I continue to work on because I know consistency is what separates good players from great ones.

Walk me through your typical pre-game routine.

My pre-game routine starts with making sure my body and mind are ready. I like to listen to music, stretch, and visualize myself making plays before I even step on the field. I go over the game plan, study the receivers I’m going against, and remind myself of my assignments. Once it’s time to put the pads on, I lock in completely. I remind myself of all the work I’ve put in throughout the week and that every opportunity on the field is another chance to prove myself.

What is your favorite snack food?

My favorite snack food would probably be nerd cluster gummies. That’s something I’ve always liked and would eat to give me energy at half.

What scheme do you feel you fit the best in?

I feel like I fit best in a defense 4-2-5 or zone system that allows corners to be aggressive and physical. I enjoy playing man coverage because it gives me the opportunity to compete one-on-one against receivers. At the same time, I’ve been exposed to different defensive systems with alot of match zone throughout my college career.  So I understand the importance of being versatile. Whether it’s man, zone, or a combination of both, I want to be a corner / nickel who can adjust to whatever a defensive coordinator needs.

What is your degree in?

I earned my undergraduate degree in Sport Management from Eastern Michigan University, and I’m continuing my education in cybersecurity. I believe education is important because football won’t last forever, and I want to make sure I’m preparing myself for life outside of the game as well.

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

The first thing I would do with my NFL check is take care of my family. They’ve supported me throughout this entire journey, even when things weren’t going my way. I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in without their sacrifices. Being able to give back to the people who helped me chase my dream would mean more to me than buying anything expensive.

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

As a cornerback, you’re going to get beat sometimes. That’s just part of playing the position. I’ve had moments where I got beat. But one thing I’ve learned is that you can’t let one bad play turn into three bad plays. When I make a mistake, I figure out what went wrong, make the correction, and move on to the next snap. Playing corner requires a short memory and a lot of confidence. You can’t play scared because of something that happened earlier in the game.

Name three songs we can expect on your playlist.

1. Lil Baby – Dead Fresh
2. NBA YoungBoy – I ain’t hiding 
3. Meek Mill – Dreams and Nightmares