NFL Draft

Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Avery Walker, RB, Bemidji State

NFL Draft Diamonds Spotlight Interview: Avery Walker, RB, Bemidji State
How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?
I took a visit to the University of Georgia and was also brought into the Minnesota Gopher camp. No offer received. I heard from a good bit of D2 schools with no offer as well

How did you come to make your college decision?
I was forced to take the JUCO route(Mesabi Range) because my grades weren’t where they needed to be. After JUCO I went to Minnesota-Duluth in the spring of 2011 over a scholarship from the Akron Zips. I felt that Duluth wasn’t a good fit for me so I decided to go to Bemidji. I just thought that BSU was better for me. I loved the atmosphere even though we didn’t have “the best” facilities. My BSU teammates and coaches are what made my decision

Where are you training, and what are your goals for pro day/combines?
I am training at Velocity Sports Performance in Charlotte, NC. I do have goals but I like to keep them to myself. I would just rather set them in my mind and just do them. I’m not much of a “talker.” I let my actions take care of that so I guess we will have to see!

 

Have any scouts met with you, and if so what are they saying?
I have not met with any NFL scouts, I have only met with scouts of smaller leagues. I’m sort of new on the radar.

At your position, what separates you from the others?
My versatility. I like to think that I do a lot of different things well. I can outrun you, run through you, run around you, jump over you, and I can block you! But most of all, I think my character separates me from the rest. I love the lord!
Tell us what you look for when breaking down film?
When breaking down film I look for tendencies. I try to know exactly what the defense is running as if I am the defensive coordinator. I also look for the star players and the not so good players.

 

Who was the toughest player you have ever faced?
This is a tough question because I have played with and against so many great athletes. Coming from Homestead High School, everyone is a great athlete pretty much and our opponents were just as good. At Homestead I played with guys like Ben Gardner(Stanford), Shelby Harris(Wisconsin/Illinois St), Bobby Ollman(NDSU), Darius Feaster(Wisconsin), Spud Webb(Indiana), Donte’ Phillips(Texas Tech), Coy Smith(Concordia St. Paul), Justin Howard(NDSU) and on and on… But the best player I have ever faced in a game or practice has to be Zach Moore from Concordia St. Paul. Zach is big, strong, FAST, and agile. He’s a freak of nature to say the least.

 

If you could compare your play to one person in the NFL who would it be?
Adrian Peterson. A smaller version of course… I feel like I play with the same excitement, determination, speed/power /balance combination. At every program I have been a part of I have been compared to him. People have called me Avery day instead of all day.
What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?
I’ve been through a lot. So this is a tough topic to decide on as well. I think the situation I am faced with now is the hardest for me. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer recently and it gets rough for me at times but I continue to press on and push through by the grace of GOD. God is how I overcome obstacles in life, he’s my rock. The footprints in the sand quote fits my life perfectly.

 

What system fits your style of play the best?
I love running out of the read option/shotgun style. But I believe any system will work well with me. I’m a fast learner and I have played and excelled in every type of system

 

What is your biggest strength?
My biggest strength(besides faith) is my strength/speed/agility combination

 

What is your biggest weakness?
I’m not sure about this one, ill have to think on this…

 

If I were a GM and gave you a minute to sell yourself, what would you say?
You are going to get the hardest working athlete with the best character you will find. I believe I am good enough to be on your team, but good enough isn’t enough; I want to be THE BEST! I can show you better than I can tell you.

 

Growing up, who was your role model?
My grandmother, she’s the best person that I know.
Who was your favorite team and player in the NFL and why?
I don’t have a favorite team, I never have. My favorite player is Adrian Peterson. I always admired how we treats his fans/supporters, the way he carries himself outside of football and the way he plays the game.
If you were to have dinner with three people dead or alive who would it be?
I couldn’t have just three. Jesus Christ would be one for sure

 

What would you buy with your first NFL paycheck?

I would save half of it and donate the other half to charity. My mother is my witness when I tell you that since the age of 9, I always said half of my first check would go to a charity for people in need of help.

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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