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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Lorenzo Woodley, RB, Minnesota State University – Mankato

Lorenzo Woodley the former UMass back is a big boy who runs with passion
Lorenzo Woodley the former UMass back is a big boy who runs with passion

NFL Draft Diamonds has been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the player. We hope to bring you more than 350 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 to the right.  Now let’s meet the prospect!!!!

What is your name?

My name is Lorenzo Woodley III.

What is your Height/Weight?

6’1 215lbs

What is your position?

Running Back

Where do you play college football?

Minnesota State University Mankato

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

The coolest thing that I have done off the field is being given the opportunity to work with kids and train kids a youth camps. It takes me back to what inspired me to want to become a football player when I was a kid.

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

The hardest college class that I had to take was a Math class my sophomore and junior year at UMass.

Where are you from?

I am from Miami, Florida. Raised in the Coconut Grove area.

Who is your role model, and why?

My role model is my father because he taught me everything that I know about the game of football since I was 7 and is also a large part of who I am today characteristically as a man.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I ran youth track and field but I stopped running once I got into high school. I ranked #32 in the nation in the 100m dash at one point in my youth track career.

Did you play any other positions in football?

No, I have been a running back since the day the football was put in my hand.

At your position, what separates you from others?

Patience. As a running back patience is a huge part of your success, especially when you was reading blocks and determining when it is the right time to get downhill. That’s what I am all about as a running back and I know to last long in the pros, you have to be willing to take this approach.

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

When I am breaking down film, I am looking at the reads I make while I am am while running the ball and watching if I am seeing the field correctly and making the correct reads on different plays. Physicality is another thing that I make sure I am not slacking on, when watching film as well.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

The toughest player that I have ever faced in college would be Khalil Mack, he was a beast at Buffalo.

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

I would like to compare my style of running to DeMarco Murray. He’s a great downhill runner that I like to take parts of the game from. He’s smooth when he runs and he seems to always manage to get yards after contact. That’s why he’s one of my favorite backs in the league.

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

The biggest obstacle in my life was when my grandmother passed away. That really took a lot out of me emotionally because she had such a big inspiration on my whole life. I got through it by not giving up and looking at the people who are counting on me. I have my family behind me and I have my two sons so I am living for something bigger and that is what my grandmother always wanted for me.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Not really, I am still working on that. Haha

What is your biggest strength?

I would say my biggest strength is my experience playing running back for so many years and how I have learned so much throughout my career about playing the position.

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness is not being given the opportunity to reach my potential. I feel like when I have a group of people around me that believes in me as a person and as a player, it makes you that much more motivated to do great things.

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

I would tell you that you will be getting a player that’s hungry, and will to work hard for each and every opportunity presented. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make my NFL dream come true.

lorenzo-woodleyWho was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

My favorite NFL team is the Miami Dolphins because that was the only team that they showed on Sunday’s in Miami. I’m a big Ricky Williams fan as well. I loved watching what he did while he played for the Dolphins.

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

  • 1.  My great-grandmother
  • 2. My grandfather
  • 3. My Father

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

I’m not sure exactly, but I know that my sons are my number one priority so I will do whatever I can do to make sure they are taken care of and don’t have to worry about a thing.

Rapid Answers

  • Who is Better: Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? 
  • Who will win the Super Bowl this year? Dallas Cowboys
  • Who is Better: Barry Sanders or Emmitt Smith? 
  • Who will win MVP in NFL? Antonio Brown
  • Who is Better: Deion Sanders or Richard Sherman? 

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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