NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Jihad Abdur-Rahim, DE, West Virginia Wesleyan

 

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?

Jihad Abdur-Rahman

What is your Height/Weight?

6’3 265lbs

What is your position?

Defensive End

Where do you play college football?

West Virginia Wesleyan 

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

I visited a hospice with my former team and college Delaware State, and we were special guest at the hospice annual ball. I had the chance to put a smile on patients face that had a terminal illness. It made me realize i have nothing in life to complain about.  

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

Organic Chemistry

Where are you from?

Savannah, Georgia 

Who is your role model, and why?

My mother, she is the hardest working woman alive.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Basketball. Played basketball my entire life and one year in college before converting to football.

Did you play any other positions in football?

Defensive Tackles and Tight End

At your position, what separates you from others?

My run stopping ability is very good. I tend to always get my hands inside tackles which makes me easier to shed blocks at a quicker rate.

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

Specific plays in different personnel, lineman tendencies, and weaknesses. I also examine if the quarterback gives away his snap count.   

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Jonathan Burgess Offensive Guard Liberty University. 

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

Michael Bennett from the Seahawks. We both are around the same size and both have the ability to play inside and outside in a defensive scheme.  

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Pray and listen to music.

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

The competition I have competed against and also the lack of exposure i have coming from a smaller school.

What is your biggest strength?

My ability to get off blocks and to take good coaching.

What is your biggest weakness?

Need to get stronger overall in the weight room.

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

You will not find a harder worker and better student of the game then myself. Any role that I am put in relating to the team I will do my best to fulfill that role. Sure I come from a small school but with my work ethic, natural size, ability and also being able to be coached at a high level, success is and will be the only option. You will not regret giving me a chance on your football club.  

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

Michael Bennett and the New England Patriots   

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

My great grandparents, and Martin Luther King.

With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy?

Buy my girlfriend an engagement ring.

Rapid Answers:

• Who will win the Super Bowl? Patriots 
• Whose better Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?
• Better Running Back Adrian Peterson or Barry Sanders?
• Better safety Eric Weddle or Ed Reed?
• Better linebacker Ray Lewis or Luke Kuechly?