NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Dominick Richards, OL, James Madison University
NFL Draft Diamonds and our staff have been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 2 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. We have tons of NFL staff that read our interviews, and we actually received several of the questions from NFL scouts we speak too. This gives them a little bit more information regarding your character. We hope to bring you more than 300 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner.
What is your name?
Dominick Richards
What is your Height/Weight?
6’5″ 305
What is your position?
Center/Tackle
Where do you play college football?
James Madison University
Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?
Volunteering at the Harrisonburg Boys and Girls Club was a pretty fulfilling experience while I was at JMU. I’m the oldest of 5 children and I know what it’s like to be a big brother, so it was great to give back to the community like that.
What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?
Cell & Molecular Biology
Where are you from?
The “coal region” of Pennsylvania, My hometown is called Jim Thorpe.
Who is your role model, and why?
My role models are both of my parents. They are extremely hard workers who have taught me and my siblings everything we know. They instilled the work ethic that got me to where I am today.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Yes, basketball & baseball.
Did you play any other positions in football?
I actually was a quarterback until my junior year of high school. I was a tight end from my junior year of high school until my sophomore year of college. I then moved to offensive line after a coaching change.
At your position, what separates you from others?
I’d say my versatility. I’m a guy who played guard center and tackle so the ability for me to move position to position like that helps me a lot.
When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?
I look for little things in the player who will be in front of me. Tendencies, pass rush moves, etc. In the broader sense, I look at situational things such as blitzes on different downs and distances, as well as different keys to know when a blitz may be coming.
Who was the toughest player you ever faced?
The toughest player I ever faced is a defensive lineman from William and Mary my junior year. I can’t honestly remember what his name is.
If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?
I’d say Jason Kelce the starting center of the Eagles. He’s tremendously athletic and gets up to the second level very fast.
What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?
I’d say the biggest obstacle was my position change from Tight End to Offensive Lineman. It was a very challenging process, however I attacked it head-on and with the help of my coaches and teammates the transition was a success.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Every single time I run onto the field out of the tunnel I always bless myself and take a second to thank God. It’s something I don’t honestly talk about or make a big deal out of but its just something special to me.
What is your biggest strength?
Athleticism, punch timing and versatility.
What is your biggest weakness?
Spending time at all three positions of OL instead of focusing just on one.
If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?
I’ve faced obstacles in my career and managed to be successful no matter what situation I’ve been placed in. I’m coachable, I’m intelligent, I’m always looking for ways to get better, and I love the game.
Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?
Favorite player is Tom Brady. I don’t necessarily have a favorite team.
If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?
My grandfather Frank Rossino, Steve Jobs, and FDR.
What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?
Probably something that I would be able to enjoy with my family; I owe them a lot. A condo in Florida would be nice.
Rapid Answers:
- Tupac or Biggie? Eminem
- NFL Network or ESPN?
- Coke or Pepsi?
- Pizza or Burgers? Cerimele’s Pizza over everything.
- Dogs or Cats?
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