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Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: CJ Simon, OL, University of Central Arkansas

cj simon draft diamondsEvery 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?

CJ Simon

What is your Height/Weight?

6’2 ¾ 300 Lbs

What is your position?

OG/C

Where do you play college football?

University of Central Arkansas

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

Had offers from UTEP, Southeastern Louisiana University, Sam Houston State University, and the University of Central Arkansas

How did you choose your school?

Was committed to UTEP my junior summer going into my senior year and UCA came into the picture late into my senior year and I ended up going on a visit and decommitting from UTEP and Choosing to go to UCA. When I came up on my visit I fell in love with the town of Conway and felt like I could come in and contribute to the football program early. What really sold me was the fact that UCA was a program with a serious winning tradition which is something I wasn’t very used to in High school.

Where are you from?

Houston, TX

Who is your role model, and why?

My Dad has always been my role model. He has instilled a hardworking mindset in me ever since i was young and has made me the man that I am today.

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

I have not personally met with any scouts but according to my College coach I do know that the Bills showed particular interest in my play during Spring ball last year.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Baseball, Lacrosse, Basketball,Threw the Shotput

Did you play any other positions in football?

QB, RB, LB, FB, DE, DT

At your position, what separates you from others?

I am a Strong run blocker. I squat 700 pounds and bench 450. I am strong for an offensive lineman and it shows up in the run game. I keep a strong base with my feet when run blocking

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

I look for any type of playing habit that the player might have that I can expose. I watch how he uses his hands, if he is a finesse player or power player, what are his favorite moves in certain game situations such as passing downs or early downs

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Nebraska Defensive Tackle Jay Guy

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

Orlando Franklin because of how physical he is when he plays the game. I like to be as physical as possible on every down and let my presence be felt.

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

I had skull cancer when I was 6 years old. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to overcome in my life and the chemotherapy treatments were brutal. It taught me that no matter how hard life may get, there is no way anything can hold you down if you have the right amount of fight in you and the have the mindset of overcoming anything that may face you. after overcoming cancer, in my eyes there is no obstacle that i can’t overcome.

cj simon nfl Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I usually just listen to music on my own away from everyone else

What is your biggest strength?

My Strength and Athleticism for how big I am

What is your biggest weakness?

Sometimes I can be too aggressive in the run game and I catch myself leaning forward too much

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

I am a hard worker that is willing and able to do anything that they can throw at me. I am a fast learner and I am athletic enough to fit into most any kind of offensive scheme especially at center. I am as solid as they come in the run game and with that aside I was one of the best pass blockers on my college offensive line as well. I dont think I gave up a sack my entire senior year in college. But most of all I love the game of football and will come out ready to grind and work every day because every day is an opportunity to perfect my craft.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

Washington Redskins

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

Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning, Jake Long

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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