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Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Adam Drake, WR, Eastern Illinois University

adam drakEvery year, NFL Draft Diamonds brings our readers the best in depth interviews on the internet. We specialize in giving players an opportunity to showcase their talents on our website. We conducted interviews last year with over 300 plus players. We want you to enjoy our interviews, because when these young men are in the league, we will not be surprised, and neither should you. 

What is your name?

Adam Drake

What is your Height/Weight?

Height 6’2″/ 200lbs

What is your position?

Wide Receiver

Where do you play college football?

Eastern Illinois University

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

  I had 5 schools that recruited me out of high school.

How did you choose your school?

I always thought it would be great to play for EIU. Growing up watching Tony Romo and his success, it was always a school that was close to my heart.  When I had the chance play football at the collegiate level, I was blessed to have the opportunity to choose between some great programs. All things considered, EIU offered the best opportunity for me to come in and compete at a high quality program that I grew up watching since I was young.  It also didn’t hurt that I could play in my “backyard” and stay
close to family and be supported throughout my college career.

Where are you from?

Charleston, Illinois

Who is your role model, and why?

I have been blessed with a great number of influential people throughout my life but none as great as my mother, Mary Drake. She’s loving, caring, selfless, and hardworking. All in one, my mother is my best friend. If I ever need advice or help, she’s always there for me.

Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?

I’ve had the pleasure to work out in front of several scouts and have been in contact with a couple of teams.  They are saying that I am definitely on their radar and are looking forward to seeing what type of
numbers I put up in my Pro Day.

adam drakeDid you play any other sports growing up?

I grew up playing roller hockey, baseball, football, and tennis. Once I got into High school I narrowed it down to Tennis and Football for school and picked up golf for fun.

Did you play any other positions in football?

In High School I got a lot of work at Corner/Safety/Return/Holder but once I made it to EIU I was strictly a Wide Receiver/ Punt Return/Holder.

At your position, what separates you from others?

I consider myself a technician and I work hard to do things the right way and the way coaches have taught me to do them. Specifically, my ability to track the ball in the air, use my body control, and attack the ball at its ideal position separates me from other wide receivers.

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

The first thing I look for is any tendencies that we as a team can take advantage of from a play perspective. Then I look at who I’ll be facing see what kind of tendencies they have. Whether they always jam with a certain arm, how they move, and their overall style of play.  Studying my opponent and understand their abilities allow me to use this knowledge to my advantage.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

De’Ante Sanders from Tennessee State

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

Jordy Nelson. He has deceptive speed, great hands, and is a route technician

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

One of the biggest obstacles I have had to overcome in my life would be experiencing and adjusting to a blended family. By opening my heart and mind and accepting the situation of which I didn’t have control. Open and honest communication is key.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

The first couple things I do when I get to the stadium on game day are: take a shower, roll out, walk the field, say a prayer and blow a kiss to grandma. After that it’s game time!

What is your biggest strength?

I’m unrelenting. Whatever I am faced with I meet it head on. There is never an option to quit or turn back

What is your biggest weakness?

I think my biggest weakness is that I project self-expectations.  I understand that everyone has different levels of abilities, but I have very high expectations of myself and of others on my team.  I aim to bring the
best out of everyone and expect each person on the team to contribute based on their responsibilities.

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

Through my college career I have had three different coaching staffs. I had to prove myself every time and it has taught me a life lesson. Nothing is ever guaranteed; if you want something you are going to have to
work hard to get it, and if you have something, you have to work even harder to keep it.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

My favorite player was Tony Romo with my favorite team being the Cowboys. I grew up in Charleston, IL and Tony was always a role model to me.

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

Paul Klipsch, my grandpa Jim, and Steve Jobs

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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