Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Cedric Thompson, DB, University of Minnesota

Every 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?

Cedric Thompson Jr.

Where do you play college football?

University of Minnesota – Golden Gophers – B1G

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

Minnesota	COMMITTED (02/06/2011	Offered	12/04/2011	Jay Sawvel
Arizona	None		None
Buffalo	None		None
Northern Arizona	None	Offered	None
Portland St.	None	Offered	01/28/2011
Diego St.	None		None
TCU	None		None
UTSA	None		None

 

How did you choose your school?

First impression of my coaches and teammates is what brought me to the Minnesota. I was excited by the opportunity to turn an unsuccessful program into a successful one.

Where are you from?

Los Angeles California / Bombay Beach California / Calipatria California

Who is your role model, and why?

My mother. She had me at 15 and the hard work and dedication that she went through at such a young age and all the obstacles she went through nothing or no one can break her down.

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

Not personally.  They have talked to coaches, strength coordinators and academic advisors.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Wrestled freshman year of high school.

Did you play any other positions in football?

Running Back until I came to college.

At your position, what separates you from others?

Tackling.  Exceptional open-field tackling ability.  

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

When I watch opponents I look for tendencies from every position group on the opposing side. I look for strength and weaknesses in all players.

When I watch myself I look for nothing else but to see what I can improve myself on.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Played a lot of great players. No one in particular.  Notable names are Melvin Gordon , Jr., Ameer Abadullah, J.T. Barrett, David Fales, Russel Wilson, etc.  B10.

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

Eric Weddle, he is a complete tackler and is always in the right position.   He brings the wood.

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

All my life I have been through so many things. I had a teenage mom, family members in jail and in gangs, family members who were murdered.  Moved to a desolate town to get away from the violence in L.A. and had to and had to overcome the remote location to train myself to put myself in a position to find a way out through football. It’s hard to single out one specific situation. In all, everything happens for a reason and God won’t put anything you can’t handle. I tell myself to stay strong in my faith and keep pushing.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Prayer

What is your biggest strength?

Leading, helping others, giving advice, putting myself in other people shoes.  Football-wise it would be my dedication to proper nutrition, training and physical development that has allowed me to continue to improve my strength, speed and vision.

What is your biggest weakness?

Sin

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

I will give you everything I have in my mind,body and spirit. Just give me the opportunity to show you I will be great.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

Ray Lewis, his love for the game and the love he had to help other people      inspire people through the game that he loves. That’s what its all about.

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

Jesus Christ.

Dead Relatives.

Ray Lewis.