NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Steven Barroso, LB, Albright College

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?

Steven Barroso

What is your Height/Weight?

6’0 235

What is your position?

Linebacker

Where do you play college football?

Started career at Monmouth University, ended it at Albright College

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

Volunteering with the Children’s specialized Hospital on several Occasions.

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

Social Theory

Where are you from?

Toms River, New Jersey

Who is your role model, and why?

My mother. Living in a single parent household growing up with three other brothers, she was able to work three jobs to keep food on our table and also raise us all to be responsible young men. Hardest worker I know and she never complains about it.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Basketball, and Baseball.

Did you play any other positions in football?

Long Snapper, several special teams positions and running back.

At your position, what separates you from others?

Instincts. I have a natural nose for the ball and can read the play quicker than others. This allows me to always be in the right spot at the right time as well as making the play when needed. I also work vigorously on my block destruction techniques so me being able to get off blocks so well helps separate me as well. Another thing that separates me is playing the game with a chip on my shoulder. This makes me work harder, be more aggressive, and give relentless effort.

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

I like to look at several things from each position. When watching QB I look at how he targets his receivers; does he stare down to where he’s throwing or look off, does he look to throw to the sticks for first downs or go deeper. I also look to see if the QB reads blitzes and makes checks. When looking at the O-Line I look to see if they tip off pass or run by the weight they put in their stance. (Leaning forward run- leaning back pass) I also see which lineman are more downhill blockers or positional blockers. When looking at backs I like to see if they are cram to cutback runners, straight downhill, or a bouncing back. Also of course play tendencies on down and distances. I spend a lot of hours in the film room.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Countless players can be named but one for certain was Jordan Brown from Bryant University. (Played against him when I was at Monmouth) Very versatile back who ended up being a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.

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

Luke Kuechly. Reason being is for his relentless effort and great nose for the ball. He is always right around the play even if he is not the one making it.

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

Transferring was the biggest obstacle I had to overcome. I went to Monmouth for two years and did well and even was a starter my sophomore year. Then transferred to Illinois State and things didn’t work out how I planned. I decided what was best for family was to move closer to home so I chose Albright. The biggest obstacle was overcoming the regret I had from leaving my first school. They always say the grass is greener on the other side, but it only appears that way. I was able to overcome the regret by just focusing on what I can control and giving my all to Albright to finish my career.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Yes, very superstitious. One of the many things I always do is lay down with a towel over my head an envision myself making plays.

As a small school football player what obstacles do you feel you have to overcome?

Getting exposure and respect for the level we play at. There’s good competition at every level and I just need an opportunity to prove myself.

What is your biggest strength?

My physical play and natural LB instincts.

What is your biggest weakness?

Can always be faster.

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

Let me be the best decision you ever made.

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

Ray Lewis- Ravens.

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

Ray Lewis, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali.

With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy? 

Would pay off any students loans I have and then make sure my mom never has to work again

Rapid Answers:

• Spongebob or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
• Backstreet Boys or One Direction?
• Lifetime Channel or HGTV?
• Waffles or Pancakes?
• Snakes or Spiders?
• Madden or Mario?