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NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Nehemiah Winston, TE, UC Davis

UC Davis tight end Nehemiah Winston is a big boy with soft hands

NFL Draft Diamonds website has been providing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed things up a bit. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the draft eligible player. We hope to bring you more than 500 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 our next prospect!!!!

What is your name?

My Name is Nehemiah Winston. A lot of my friends call me Mo.

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’4, 260.

What is your position? 

Tight End.

Where do you play college football? 

UC Davis.

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

Football is definitely about giving back, especially when you’re in a position to. The coolest thing I’ve done was help host the special Olympics with my teammates at UC Davis, and also spend time with the children at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento, CA. It’s amazing to see them filled with joy despite their conditions.

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

ECS 15, an intro to computers class where coding was the main practice of the class. Assignments would take hours for students to complete.

Where are you from?

I was born in San Francisco, but I was raised in Richmond, CA, in a area called Hilltop.

Who is your role model, and why? 

My role model is Jason Witten. I love his approach to the game. The preparation he takes on and off the field is remarkable. There’s a reason he’s been effective for all these years. He’s a hard worker, great teammate, and awesome person.

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

I didn’t start playing football until my junior year in high school. I was a basketball player my whole life until the high school football coaches convinced me to give football a chance. The moment I stepped on the field for my first practice I fell in love with the game of football and been in love ever since.

Did you play any other positions in football? 

Wide Receiver, and Safety. (In High school) 

At your position, what separates you from others? 

I played in a pro style offense, and we ran the ball a ton. I believe my ability to block separates me from others. I am also able to contribute in the pass game with my solid route running and good hands. I am a complete tight-end. I’m a workhorse, always looking to get better and push myself to the limits. I’m also not a selfish player, and I’ll do whatever the coaches ask to do for the good of the team.

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

The first thing I do is identify the front of the defense, then I examine the secondary to determine their coverage. After identifying their primary front and coverages, I began looking at player tendencies (I.e, I’m looking at the players postures pre-snap and post snap. I want to see their differences in body language when their blitzing or in a normal coverage. Are they playing aggressive or filling situations out. Are good with their hands, quick with their feet, Etc)

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

Samson Ebukam, very talented Defensive End from Eastern Washington.

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

I would compare myself to Jason Witten, due to my ability to contribute in all facets of the game. Jason Witten can be an efficient blocker and be a factor in the pass game.

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

The biggest obstacle I faced was my mom nearly dying in a car crash. I was in the 5th grade at the time. Me and my brother had to take care of her because she was on bed rest for 3 months. She fractured her neck in two places, her foot, and arm. Her car accident illustrated to me that life and death is real, and things can be altered at a moments notice. Never take life for granted.

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

Nothing too crazy. I put on my game day music. I drink Pedialyte before every game to help with hydration. Get a good stretch by trainers. And Pray before each game time. 

What is your biggest strength? 

My versatility, being a complete tight-end.

What is your biggest weakness? 

 I want to continue to improve blocking secondary level defenders. 

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

If you’re looking for a great football player, a good addition to the locker room, and somebody who’s going to do whatever it takes to get the job done.. Then I’m your guy. 

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

I grew up a 49ers fan. My favorite player to watch currently is Greg Olsen. 

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

Tupac Shakur, Martin Luther King, Former President Barack Obama. 

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

I would definitely buy my parents a house.

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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