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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Kenneth Durden, CB, Youngstown State University

Youngstown State cornerback Kenneth Durden is a playmaker in the secondary
Youngstown State cornerback Kenneth Durden is a playmaker in the secondary

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?

Kenneth Durden

What is your Height/Weight?

6’0ft 185lbs

What is your position?

Cornerback

Where do you play college football?

Youngstown State University

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

While training Arizona, I had the opportunity to go to the Mormon Church and learn about their beliefs and how structured towards family they are, and they were so great to me, and it was very cool experience.

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

Women Studies, because it was a lot of class work and on a topic I don’t think guys can really ever understand.

Where are you from?

Valdosta, Georgia.

Who is your role model, and why?

My mother is my role model, just watching the struggles she went through and the countless hours she put in just to put my sisters and I through college.  I am proud that I now have a college degree to show her that her hard work was well appreciated.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Yes, Football, Basketball and track. I was the two-time triple jump state champion in track.

Did you play any other positions in football?

Quarterback and Wide Receiver  

At your position, what separates you from others?

I’m a student of the game. I watch a lot of film, am very coachable, and also study the moves of individuals and their traits. I am something like a Great White Shark, how it stalks its prey then attacks.

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

I look for release technique by the wideouts, what type of players they are, and whether they are physical or engaging. If they are engaging, then I like to talk to them. However, if they are physical I like to keep my hand on them.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

The toughest player I have ever faced in my college career played for the University of Miami wide receiver Allen Hurns he was a great route runner and really made me play. He was very technical and sound in his route running.

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

I like Josh Norman, because he so passionate about the game, I like how physical he plays at the line.

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

My biggest obstacle happened in 2014 when I was arrested, suspended from University of South Florida, and transferred to Youngstown State and forced to sit the 2014 season.  By learning from my mistake and putting my priorities back in order, I was able to overcome this and become a better football player and person.   

durden1Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Listening to Future before the games.  

What is your biggest strength?

Would be press because I love the physical play of the game.

What is your biggest weakness?

To fail and not to try something because I’m very competitive.

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

My name is Kenneth Durden I love football, I’m very competitive and plan to be here a long time.

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

Deion Sanders

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

1. Lester Hayes Oakland Raiders. He is a great DB, his style of play scared many quarterbacks from throwing to his side.  He is someone I pattern my game after.

2.  Walter Peyton Sweetness.  I would just like to get inside his mindset, and how he prepared for games but his off the field workouts are what made him the person he was.  He is a great role model in the community and is truly the greatest football player ever.  

3.  Kobe Bryant.  He is a team player and tries to make others around him great.

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

I would like to have the financial freedom to buy my mom whatever she wants and take care of her as she has me all these years.

Rapid Answers:

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

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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