Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: J.D. Roussel, DB, Sacred Heart 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?

Jean-Daniel Roussel, also known as “JD”

Where do you play college football?

Sacred Heart University

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

Approximately a dozen colleges from the ACC, CAA and NEC

How did you choose your school?

Through the tribulations faced with the dropping of Northeastern University football program, Sacred Heart created a sense of belonging.

Where are you from?

Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Who is your role model, and why?

My role model would have to be my mother. As a single mother, she exhausted herself to make sure that I was able to get the best in this world, providing me the opportunity to be at this place in my life.

Want to thank you for effort, with all the interview posts. wanted to just resend u the link to my highlight tape

m.youtube.com/watch?v=YXxpdD…

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

I have not personally spoken with any scouts but they have contacted my coaches. They are impressed with the numbers that I have put up in my college career and are excited to see what I am capable of doing in the future.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Growing up I played basketball, baseball, and ran track.

Did you play any other positions in football?

In high school, I played running back and wide receiver, and on defense corner and free safety.

At your position, what separates you from others?

What separated me from the other corners would be my determination to be the best, along with my instincts. As a competitor, I take advantage of the opportunity to play against the best talent.

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

When watching film, I look at the smoothness of the receiver and how confidently he runs his routes. I pay close attention to the connection his QB has with him and how comfortable they are with each other. I proceed to make it my main goals during the game is to make him feel as disconnected from his QB as possible.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

During my RS-Freshman campaign, I faced a receiver from Duquesne University named Connor Dixion. I believe he was a transfer from Michigan State and was later signed by the Pittsburg Steelers.

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

If I could compare my play to one player in the NFL it would be Janoris Jenkins. Many corners would compare themselves to a Sherman or Revis, and by all means are amazing corners. On the contrary, I believe Jenkins to be great because he plays with a chip on his shoulder attitude that he brings to the field as well as his smart instincts when it comes to taking chances.

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

The biggest obstacle in my life that I had to overcome was the dropping of the Northeaster University program. Being offered by not only a Division I program but as well a very prestigious academic school as well, is every little kids dream. Getting it all taken away one Friday morning, a couple of weeks before signing day was my nightmare. I overcame this obstacle with the love and support of my mother, where her and I began an extensive and very late re-recruiting process.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Prior to the game I try and stay as relaxed and focused as I can. This game is enjoyable and I tend to play best when I am having fun out on the field. As a whole, Sacred Hearts DBs understand the pressure we put on ourselves, so we try to ease the pressure by staying relaxed as best as we can.

What is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength would have to be my confident demeanor on the field. At all times, try to remain as confident as I possibly can while playing.

What is your biggest weakness?

As being confident is my strength, being overconfident is my biggest weakness that I need to overcome. There is a thin line between being confident and overconfident, and to understand that line, I must remember that the game is far bigger than I am.

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

My whole life I was always told I could not play at the next level. In response, I proceeded by winning championships and a top tear player in my position.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

Growing up, my favorite player was Marshall Faulk and my favorite team in the NFL growing up is the St. Louis Rams

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

1 Michael Jordan

2 Dion Sanders

3 Marshal Faulk