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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Tyrell Goodman, WR, University of Akron

Tyrell Goodman from the University of Akron is a big target with great hands

NFL Draft Diamonds has been providing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed things up a bit. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the draft eligible 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 our next prospect!!!!

What is your name?  

Tyrell Goodman

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’2, 207

What is your position? 

 Quarterback and wide-receiver  

Where do you play college football? 

The University of Akron (Akron Zips)

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

 I’ve done a lot of community service throughout my collegiate career. The best and most memorable experience for me was going to Akron Children’s Hospital Friday before game day and spending time with the children. Just seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces was amazing.

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

The hardest class I’ve taken in college was Humanities. 

Where are you from? 

I’m from Yonkers, New York 

Who is your role model, and why? 

My coaches Joe Telesco Sr. and Joe Telesco Jr. They are great hard-working men who sacrificed a lot for their families and value discipline and education. They took me in as their own and made sure I didn’t miss a class or practice in high school. They’ve impacted so many lives and gave kids, like myself, hope. They wake up every morning and give everything they have to their jobs and families and I admire that.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

 I played basketball, soccer, baseball, and participated in track and field.

Did you play any other positions in football? 

I played Safety, Linebacker, Special Teams, Punter, Kick Return and Punt Return. 

At your position, what separates you from others? 

My knowledge of the game from playing quarterback in high school, my physicality, blocking ability, route running ability, my ability to beat press coverage, and to make plays in tough situations. 

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

Defensive back’s strengths and weaknesses, teams’ main coverages on third-downs, and whether or not they are a blitzing team. I also review old game film and practice film to critique myself. I look at my releases, whether or not I’m attacking the ball, pay close attention to my effort and hand and eye coordination, whether I’m stacking the defender once I get over the top of them, missed blocking opportunities, and any other improvements I could have made that could have impacted the game. 

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

 Jordan Lynch and Jimmy Ward.  

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

Anquan Boldin on the Detroit Lions because he’s physical, a great route runner, he makes big plays and catches the ball in traffic, he’s strong, and very smart. I admire him because we are similar in size, he can play the slot, he played quarterback and got switched to receiver as I did, and he’s a tough, gritty player and that is what I pride myself on. 

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

The biggest obstacle I’ve faced in my life thus far was losing my father when I was eight and growing up with seven siblings and my mother struggling with substance abuse. During my early childhood years, we were often homeless and moved from shelter to shelter. During my junior year of high school my mom sought out treatment and has successfully overcome her addictions. Football provided an outlet for me and opportunities to make better life choices. Football kept me out of the streets of Yonkers, New York and taught me discipline, hard work, and the importance of receiving a higher education. I also overcame these obstacles with the help of my coaches and their families, who took me in and enrolled me in a private high school in White Plains, New York. 

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

Prayer and a playlist of some of my favorite songs

What is your biggest strength? 

Route running ability and catching

What is your biggest weakness? 

Top end speed

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

I’m a confident person who strives to be the best day in and day out and pride myself on my work ethic. I will be the first one at practice and the last one to leave. I’m eager to learn new skills and will push myself and others around me to be the best they can be not only as players but as men. I’m a team player and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to contribute to the team’s success. 

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

 Tom Brady, The Patriots.

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

My Dad, Barack Obama, and Muhammad Ali.

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

 I would invest in property like a townhouse. 

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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