NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Jerry Nash III, S, Minnesota State University of Mankato

Jerry Nash III
Minnesota State University, Mankato
@JerryNashIII

What is your name?

Jerry Nash III.

Where did you play College Football?

Minnesota State University of Mankato.

What position do you play?

Safety.

What is your height/weight?

6’0” 207lbs.

Did you play any other sports growing up? If so, what were they?

Basketball, baseball, golf, track.

Who is the toughest player you have competed against in College?

Luis Perez – QB Texas A&M Commerce.

Are you listening to music before a game? If so, what?

Yes, a mixture of New Edition and contemporary rap.

Do you have any superstitions before a game? If so, what are they?

I always wear the same socks and I have to dance to a New Edition song.

Who is your role model & why?

On the field: Ed Reed – the man showed no mercy and was all over the field whether it be on defense or special teams. I always tried to shape my game around his. I was still Jerry Nash III but his mentality was what I wanted most.
In life: My father and Will Smith – Will Smith and his funny antics allowed me to connect with people over the years. People would say we sound alike or have that same type of energy in our humor. When it comes to my father he was the one who really kept me grounded. He knew when it was time to play and when it was time to work. He would say if my kids can handle living with me then they can handle anything in life.

While in College, what has been your favorite & least favorite class?

My favorite class in college was probably my Behavioral Neuroscience class – Focusing on Psychology I love learning how things work and this class really got down to it on a molecular level.
My least favorite class was my speech class – I’m great at speaking and I love speeches that come right on the spot so having to write them was a new experience for me. I’ve always just been thrown in the spotlight over the years so that’s what I’m used to.

Outside of Football, what has been your favorite experience while in College?

Outside of football, my favorite experience has been either the volunteer work I’ve had the pleasure of doing or holding down my current three jobs. I believe it’s the people you come in contact with that make these experiences so memorable.

Growing up, who was your favorite NFL Team & NFL player, & why?

Growing up my favorite NFL team was the Baltimore Ravens but living in Wisconsin my dad made sure I was cheering for the Packers as well. I’ve always been a defensive guy and that 2000 Ravens team was bad. The Ravens have always prided themselves on their defensive play so that’s why I liked them. At this point in my career, I just like to see a good game. I’m too busy analyzing the O and D trying to picture myself out there.

Who do you choose, Jordan or LeBron?

Personally, I’m a Jordan guy but I refuse to take anything away from LeBron. I give credit where credit is due.

Are you a PS4 or Xbox One guy? What games are you playing right now?

Xbox One kind of guy, I just don’t have any time to play video games right now. The most recent madden I have is 2015 haha. I’m either in the gym, on the field, or at work.

What has been your most memorable moment as a student-athlete at Minnesota State University, Mankato?

My most memorable moment was probably putting on the pads my first spring here at Minnesota State University of Mankato. After taking two years away from the game, it was one of many dreams turned reality being back on the field. Not too many people get that opportunity, so I can say I’m blessed and truly grateful to the staff and my teammates for allowing me that chance.

If you could be in any movie of your choice, what would it be & what character would you play?

The one movie I would want to be in is Men in Black. Growing up that was one of my all-time favorite movies and I would probably be Will Smith’s partner. I can’t do everything on this earth but one thing I can do is make a suit look good haha.

If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who are they?

Three people I would have dinner with is Prince, Will Smith, and Ed Reed. All three are very different personalities and I probably wouldn’t stop picking their brains. Asking about everything from football, to music, to issues in society. I love hearing people’s thoughts.

If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose & why?

When it comes to football Ernie Davis is a historical figure to me, so I’d love to meet him. On the other hand, I’d love to meet Frederick Douglass. I would want to physically hear what he had to say about his times growing up. Reading his autobiography is one thing but hearing someone say it and feeling it is another.

Who is your favorite superhero & why?

Favorite superhero is Black Panther – I’ve always been a comic book guy, but Black Panther is so much more than a superhero to me and that’s why he’s my favorite. I did read the comics before I saw the movie 7 times, but I would say go see it and you’ll understand why he’s my favorite. He brings a ton of new elements to the comic book world that I really enjoy.

What is your definition of hard work?

Hard work – A constant, of exceeding the expectation that’s others and you have for yourself with whatever you do in life

What is the most unexpected lesson you learned while in College?

The most unexpected lesson I learned in college is that eating healthy and more specifically vegan is not as hard as people make it out to be. I was on a vegan diet my complete senior season while going to class and holding a job and as long as you have a plan before jumping into it you can definitely do it with ease.

What is something you wish you could go back & tell yourself as a High School Freshman?

If I could go back and tell myself something I would say, “Be great. Be great every day, not just days you want to. Be great every day. Tell yourself that and apply that to everything that you do. Take pride in everything you do because if you don’t value the things you’re doing or have done then no one else will. Lastly, energy. Energy is contagious and is essential to being great. Feed yourself and others with positive energy and you can’t go wrong.”

Why do you wear #29?

I wear #29 because my father did. He played football as well. He spent some time in the USFL and worked out with a couple NFL teams but didn’t last long due to injury. So, I wear it to remind myself who pushed me to start playing football and to motivate me to be even better than he was.

What is the best part of your hometown, Kenosha, WI?

The best part of my hometown Kenosha, WI is view off Lake Michigan when it comes to scenery, but I have to say I love the Italian food at Tenuta’s Restaurant. I used to live really close, so I would ride my bike over there on 60^th Ave and 75^th street and you could smell some great food coming from inside there.

In 2017, you were named NSIC South Division All-Conference First Team, what was it like to receive that honor & how does it motivate you to become even better?

Being named First-team all-conference in the NSIC was a great feeling. My biggest thing coming back to school and football after taking that time off was that I wanted to make sure I performed at a high level. I genuinely appreciate the honor of being named the first team, but I wanted more, and I still do. I wasn’t striving for All Conference, I wanted All American. So, I constantly have to remind myself not that I got All Conference but that I DID NOT get All American. That’s how it motivates me to be great.

Are you binge-watching anything on Netflix or Hulu right now?

I don’t get much time to sit down and relax but when I do I watch a lot of Stranger Things and food documentaries. I’m into the sci-fi thing and you can never stop learning so I like to see what scientists have to say about how certain foods affect us and the environment.

If you had one free hour each day, how would you choose to use it?

If I had one free hour a day I would use it on more recovery techniques. Players always want to work and get better, but I don’t think we fully value our recovery time and how it can benefit us. I already carry a foam roller with me in my car so if I had an hour to roll out in between jobs that would be sensational because I’m always on my feet and going.

If you could intercept one NFL QB, past or present, who would it be & why?

If I could intercept one NFL QB I would want it to be Otto Graham because he played 10 years and each year he was in a championship game. I could also say Fran Tarkenton because he moved around and stretched plays for so long being able to cover for 30 seconds is a feat.

If you could give NFL scouts three words to describe the type of man they are getting in Jerry Nash III, what would they be?