Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Francisco Llanos, WR, Lindenwood University

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?

Francisco Llanos

Where do you play college football?

I played my first three years at The University of Southern Mississippi and my last year at Lindenwood University.

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

The Citadel and FAMU.

How did you choose your school?

My Receivers coach in high school, Hansford Johnson played Receiver at MTSU and his coach was Larry Fedora. When I graduated from high school Larry Fedora was the head coach at Southern Miss. Hansford had nothing but great things to say about Fedora so it was a no brainer to go walk-on there.

Where are you from?

Tampa, Florida born in Puerto Rico.

Who is your role model, and why?

Floyd Mayweather. Nobody has dominated there sport longer then he has and he’s probably the hardest working athlete in sports.

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

I met with the Seahawks earlier in the year. They came to see me at Lindenwood and they didn’t say too much just was asking about my knee. I heard the Dolphins were impressed at The FCS National Bowl but that’s about it.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I ran Track and played Basketball a little.

Did you play any other positions in football?

I played a little QB and DB in my little league days.

At your position, what separates you from others?

My route running. Being able to get in and out of breaks effectively.

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

I break down allot of Wide Receiver tape. I tend to look for different things that I can add to my game.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Jamie Collins. He was a teammate of mine at Southern Miss who currently plays for the Patriots.

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

Cecil Shorts. Not a very fast guy but a guy that can be really effective in an offense with his great hands and route running ability.

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

When I tore my ACL heading into my senior season at Southern Miss. I had allot going for me around that time and everything was gone that quick. I thought my football career was over. I just had to keep working and fight through it and I knew something great was going to come out of it.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I listen to Puerto Rican music.

What is your biggest strength?

My Route Running

What is your biggest weakness?

My Blocking

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

I will always be considered a walk-on and that’s something I’m very proud of. The odds were stacked against me and I exceled. That’s the player you’re going to get play in and play out, a hard worker!

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

Chad Johnson and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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

Floyd Mayweather, Martin Lawrence and Nia Long.