NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Gary Underwood, RB, Villanova 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? 

Gary Underwood

What is your Height/Weight? 

6ft, 222lbs

What is your position? 

Running Back

Where do you play college football? 

Villanova University

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field? 

The coolest thing I have done off the field is volunteer at a single mother home where I visited and spent time with kids of various ages who do not have a male figure in their life. I played games with them, ate with them, and taught them life lessons. I really appreciated to opportunity to give the young boys of the shelter an idea of what they are able to accomplish in life if they put their mind to it. I created relationships with these kids that I will cherish forever.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

The hardest class I took in college was history. History has always been my weakness in school, period.

Where are you from? 

Cincinnati, Ohio

Who is your role model, and why? 

My mom is my role model. I have 6 siblings and she had made sure that we were never without no matter the circumstance. She represents strength and determination, which she is the reason I am where I am today in my life, and the reason I am working so hard right now, to give back to her.

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

I played basketball and ran track.

Did you play any other positions in football? 

I played quarterback, corner, safety, linebacker, receiver, and kick returner.

At your position, what separates you from others? 

I am very versatile. Yes I can run the ball like any other running back, but my receiver skills create a miss match for linebackers, and even corners. I have soft hands and run good routes, meaning I can come out the backfield or line up outside. I take pride in my blocking also. I have great feet and hands when it comes to pass protection, and my lead blocking skills are above average. Also, playing quarterback in the past helps me read defenses, figuring out there schemes. I am good at reading blitzes and picking out who is coming and who is not.

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

The first thing I look for is personnel, trying to figure out different packages of the defense, who do the defense like to blitz, etc. I then look to see what specific defenders like to do, such as demeanor (how do they look in their stance when they are blitzing? How do they look when they are dropping in coverage? Is the player physical or not? How will the defender play you, tight or soft?). ‘The last thing I look for is coverage’s and movements (what coverage does the defense like to play in most of the time? How much does the d-line twist? How does the d-line space out?).

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

Trevor Bates, DE @ University of Maine

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

Le’veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is very versatile on offense. He can line up outside and embarrass players in the passing game even though he is a running back. He has great patience letting his o-line work for him, taking advantage of his help. He is a great pass blocker who can stand his ground and hold his weight. All of the characteristics are ones I possess.

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

In 2012 I almost got shot because of some trouble my friend had got in. Where I am from, there is a lot that goes on and trouble can find you even if you are not looking for it. I overcame it by going to Villanova and staying focused on what I want to accomplish in life. For my own sake, I would stay at school during breaks so I would stay away from all the negativity that came with living where I am from. This has really helped me change my mindset on life, and put me in a position to be great!

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

I like to watch family guy on Netflix. Studying film and the game plan all week adds a lot of pressure and tension, so watching family guys helps me loosen up so I can just have fun and play my game.

What is your biggest strength? 

My biggest strength is consistency in my play.

What is your biggest weakness? 

My biggest weakness is my breakout speed.

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

Call me the X-factor; there is nothing I can’t do! I’m a walking touchdown!

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up? 

My favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. My favorite player was Jerome Bettis.

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

My mom, Floyd Mayweather, and Jerome Bettis.

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

I would like to buy my girlfriend the ring she deserves.

Rapid Answers:

• Tupac or Biggie?
• NFL Network or ESPN?
  
• Coke or Pepsi?
  
• Pizza or Burgers?
  
• Dogs or Cats?