NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Alfred Gross, RB, Eastern Oregon University

 

NFL Draft Diamonds has been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the player. We hope to bring you more than 350 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 to the right.  Now let’s meet the prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Alfred Gross

What is your Height/Weight?

5’10/200lbs

What is your position?

Running Back

Where do you play college football?

Eastern Oregon University

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

Every summer I take the opportunity to volunteer with The Table Community Foundation, they serve the kids in my hometown by providing educational services and sports activities. During the Summer weeks I volunteer as an After School Program Teacher and on the weekends I am a referee in their NFL Flag Football league. I also look forward to being a Position Coach at their Annual Legacy Football & Life Skills Camp with former and current NFL players from Northern California. I think its pretty cool to be able to mentor the youth from my hometown and use my life experiences to show them the different opportunities that are also available to them.

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

Business 321: Principles of Management

Where are you from?

Stockton, California

Who is your role model, and why?

My brother, Tyronne Gross Jr, because he’s played in the NFL and I hope to do the same, but more importantly I appreciate that he’s tough on me and holds me accountable to be the best man I can be on and off the field.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

In addition to football, I also played basketball, soccer and Track.

Did you play any other positions in football?

I’ve played corner and slot receiver.

At your position, what separates you from others? .

My quickness, toughness, strength and ability to break tackles.

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

First, I like to observe how the Linebackers and Safety flow to the ball on run plays, and when it’s a pass play I like to see what type of pass rush moves the Linebackers and Defensive Ends use so I can determine how to best protect the QB.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

In high school I played Corner so I would have to say my good friend, Brandin Cooks, everyday during practice who then prepared me for Josh Harper, another wide receiver with great speed and amazing ability to run routes.

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

Adrian Peterson because of how hard he runs on every play.

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

One of the biggest obstacles I’ve had to overcome was getting myself eligible when I transferred to EOU. Since I hadn’t taken school serious at my Jr. College, I had to make up ( 45 credits) to be able to play football with in two terms and summer. It was a big task, that required a different approach. This time I really had to apply myself and develop good study habits. I finally took school as serious as football and made the honor roll. I knew this was my last and only shot at having a chance at the career I wanted.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I call my brother before every game. He prays over me and the whole team.

What is your biggest strength?

Coachable, team player and work ethic

What is your biggest weakness?

I am my biggest critic.

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

Give me a shot and I promised that no one will out work me!

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

My favorite player was my brother, Tyronne Gross Jr, and my favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys.

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

Dwayne Johnson, Michael Jordan, and my Grandfather

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

I would put a down payment on an affordable house.

 

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