NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: James Nelson, DB, Western New Mexico

NFL Draft Diamonds and our staff have been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 2 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. We have tons of NFL staff that read our interviews, and we actually received several of the questions from NFL scouts we speak too. This gives them a little bit more information regarding your character. We hope to bring you more than 300 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner.

What is your name?

James Nelson

What is your Height/Weight?

5’11 206

What is your position?

Safety/Corner

Where do you play college football?

Western New Mexico

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?

I went to a preschool back when I was attending Montana State and helped around the classroom since I have dreams of being a special Ed teacher once football is finish.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Any math class

Where are you from?

Watts, California

Who is your role model, and why?

My Mother, she did everything for me and my brother and sister growing up. Going through man obstacles in her life, including the death of my father she continued to be strong for the family.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Baseball, track , basketball

Did you play any other positions in football?

QB/RB

At your position, what separates you from others?

I can coverage anyone on the field, also I can come down and lay the wood on any running back or Receiver

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

I look at stance, routes, signals, tendencies and any weakness I can pick up on my opponent to use it against them

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Dezmin Lewis (Central Arkansas)

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

Tyran Mathieu, because I can fly around the field at any position. I’m a huge threat on special teams with returning and doing the dirty work that might not get me noticed like blocking for people.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Growing up in a rough neighborhood. Surrounded by gangs and all sorts of violence. I had to either choose to be apart of the gangs or make something out of myself, so I played ball and got myself out the streets.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I walk the full field and pray to make my presence and own the field before the game begins. Then I go inside and call my mom and my coach/mentor coach Burford from Long beach Poly to get my mind right then sit in a dark room and listen to music and play the game in my head before going into the game

What is your biggest strength?

My strength and size.

What is your biggest weakness?

Letting a bad play go

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I am the best player you can pick. I play hard and practice hard, I never give up on a play and I will represent the team on the field and in the community. I’m a very coachable player ready to contribute any way I can.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up? 

My favorite player is Bob Sanders and my team is San Diego Chargers

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

My Dad, God, and my Mother

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

My Mom a car

Rapid Answers:

• Tupac or Biggie?
• NFL Network or ESPN?
• Coke or Pepsi?
• Pizza or Burgers?
• Dogs or Cats?