NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Stephen Bowers, DE/OLB, Peru State College

Name: Stephen Bowers

• Height: 6”0 1/2

• Weight: 240

• Position: DE/OLB

• College: Peru State College 

• Twitter: StephenbowersDE

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

• Lavista Nebraska not much to really say about it, I love the community though for sports everyone from teachers I’ve lost contact with throughout the years and random citizen they want to see every athlete succeed and I love that about my community.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

• Strength and conditioning is number one being in-shape is the number one thing in football that’s why coaches do conditioning after practice why we have spring ball you never want to be out of shape if you’re in better physical shape than your opponent that’s just another plus going into the game.  Practice is very important that’s where your technique improves where you get better as a football player that’s what the fans don’t see much of is players working on the game plan for the week it’s also where most of the schemes come into play from scout team to special teams without practice it’s so much harder to win on Saturdays or Sundays. Practice is important at every level of football, as players begin to learn and execute the plays and formations they’ll utilize during the season. For coaches, it’s a chance to get the players on the field, teach them proper fundamentals and to get them ready for the season. Last but not least film study this is what I spend much of my free time doing I don’t want to let my team down so I watch the opponent film like a hawk, that’s where you pick up on your opponents bad tendencies also where you can see what plays and formations your opponents run the most it’s actually the most important thing in football, when I watch NFL or college football I pretend like I’m playing them next week and break down what the offensive line does the best and what pass-rush/run stop moves they’ll struggle on it’s helped me be the great player I am today. 

What do you worry about, and why?

• Letting down my teammates and coaches, I don’t ever want anyone to be disappointed in me, it what motivates me it’s the reason why I make big plays on the football field there’s no greater feeling than your team saying good play or good job in the field or in the film room, but there’s no worst feeling like being told you could have done better I just don’t want to be the best player on the field and not making plays. 

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

• When I was in high school I was a failure I didn’t care about school I probably had a gpa of 1.5 going into my senior year, when my friends told me I should play football that all changed I wanted to be the best at my position and I didn’t want to be sidelined due to my grades. my senior year I had a gpa of 2.5 to 3.0 I can’t really remember now I’m about to graduate college. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• My personality my teammates always tell me that I can always make someone feel welcomed even if they are not or definitely my humor I’m never serious unless I have to be , but I’m usually making jokes or trying to be funny.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

• The QB from baker university my jr year this kid had the fastest arm I’ve ever seen he can get the ball out so quick and on a dime he was super good and he broke the Passing record in the NAIA. 

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

•  If I didn’t play football my senior year in 2014 I’d probably be in the military it’s hard to say maybe I would have came around and took school and my life seriously but I 100% would have not been in college that’s for sure. 

Room, desk and car – which do you clean first?

• My room definitely has to be clean first that’s where I spend most of my time that’s my safe place if you have a dirty room that’s a bad way to wake up every day 
My car is second because I really don’t go out unless I’m going to school or the gym so it’s always clean.  Desk haha I don’t have one 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

• That’s a hard one see family is the most important thing to me it’s the only thing we truly have in life no matter what happens in your life you can always have family to rely on. So I’d have to save my family member.

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

• My favorite character of all of them is Captain America. also a real-life role model for me, this is because the thing that makes Captain America so great, is not what he can do but he’s great because of who he is. He’s a good man. A good and loyal friend. Long before they pumped up his muscles, he was a man full of fierce strength. To me, he represents the kind of good, selfless courage that that real life U.S. soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy had. We owe those guys so very, very much, and, to me, Captain America is a great character that has strength, courage, goodness and self-sacrifice.

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

• I’ll give you three examples first was definitely 2018 my college senior season. I lost my good friend and teammate in a car accident that February and while I was trying to get over that I lost my grandma before the first game but that game I had my first interception also got 1.5 sacks 3tfls and I think 5-6 tackles and got defensive player of the game.  Second my senior year of high school I went out to play football this was my first year actually going out and playing high school football, everyone thought I was going to quit and when I didn’t quit they said I wasn’t going to start when I started they said I wasn’t going to be good for the team and I ended up having the best stats as a Defensive Lineman on my team and in Nebraska. 
Third, Again My senior year in high school I ran track for the first time because a bunch of people said I wouldn’t be fast I was the underdog and ended up going to state for the 100m, 4×1, and 200m. I was no longer an underdog and was a respected athlete. Whenever someone says I can’t I always do the opposite never count me out.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• Was my college freshman season I got my first snap and jumped offsides twice in a row I’m getting embarrassed talking about it now.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• My first interception last season I caught a screen and took it 21 yards it was also my teammate’s number who passed away.

What song best describes your work ethic?

• We will rock you – Queen because when it comes to working out or competing I’m kicking my opponent’s cans all over the place haha. 

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

•  The ability to be coached and want to get better. Like my coach used to say “you can only get better or worse but you can’t stay the same”.

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

• My teammate Justin Haystand he died way too young and he was the most humble good hearted person I’ve ever met. 

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

• Good Vibes 

Who is the most overrated player in the NFL? 

• That’s a hard question he could be my teammate one day, ask me again in a couple months. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• Respected. You can like a lot of things, but respect is earned not given. 

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• Johnny Manziel, It is always disappointing to see someone’s career derailed due to off-field issues especially when he won the Heisman and was my favorite QB just to watch, he was very exciting and was the only QB I wanted to have great success in The NFL. With that being said It is very important to watch what you do on and off the field as off-field issues can affect your play on the field as well. When You belong to a team it’s always important to not be affecting the organization in a negative light.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I love to win I’m very competitive and take all competitions seriously like Tom Brady there’s nothing better than preparation for a game all week and winning, and being very competitive is what separates good players for great players in my opinion. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

Well, I’m blessed to say I have two caring parents who were both in the military and they showed me what the power of hard work and dedication can do. without them being so supportive I don’t know what my life would be like and I can never repay them for all the sacrifices they made for me and our country and I’m proud to call them my parents and will always love them.