NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks, RB, University at Albany
- Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks
- University at Albany
- Twitter: @elijah_eb
2018 Accolades & Statistics
- 2018 CAA Football Third Team Offense.
- 161 carries – 767 yards – 4.76 YPC – 4 TDs.
What is your name?
- Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks.
Where do you play College Football?
- University at Albany.
What position do you play?
- Running back.
What is your height/weight?
- 5’9″ 200lbs.
Did you play any other sports growing up? If so, what were they?
- Basketball & track.
Are you listening to music before a game? If so, what?
- Hip Hop/ Rap.
Who is your role model & why?
- Brian Dawkins because his duel mannerism on and off the field.
While in College, what has been your favorite & least favorite class?
- Anthropology was my least, intro to African- American history was my favorite.
What made you choose the University at Albany?
- Distance away from home, its prestigious criminal justice program at the time, and the players.
Outside of Football, what has been your favorite experience while in College?
- Time spent with teammates and the community.
Growing up, who was your favorite NFL Team & NFL player, & why?
- Eagles and Brian Dawkins
If you could be in any movie of your choice, what would it be & what character would you play?
- The Lion King and Simba, he’s my favorite character in my favorite movie.
If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who are they?
- Tupac.
- Malcolm X.
- Muhammad Ali.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose & why?
- Malcolm X.
Who is your favorite superhero & why?
- The Hulk, a lot like me when I was younger.
What is your definition of hard work?
- Doing whatever it takes, even when the odds are stacked against you.
What is the most unexpected lesson you learned while in College?
- Always appreciate the little things.
What is something you wish you could go back & tell yourself as a High School Freshman?
- Learn to be a man now.
Why do you wear #24?
- My mom’s birthday is on the 21st of October, my dad favorite number is three, 21+3=24 and my son was born on the 4th of November.
What is the best part of your hometown, Newark, NJ?
- The wisdom you can get from people of all walks of life.
Who do you choose: Jordan, LeBron, Steph or Kobe? Why?
- LeBron he’s the best player of my generation and his wisdom is un matched in basketball of this time besides Kobe.
Are you a PS4 or Xbox One guy? What games are you playing right now?
- Xbox and Call of Duty Black Ops 4.
What has been your most memorable moment as a student-athlete?
- The locker room conversations and moments.
If you could have three wishes granted, what would they be?
- Generational wealth.
- Unlimited wishes.
- Teleportation.
If there is a book written about Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks, what is the title?
- “A Rose Who Grew From The Concrete.”
What are three things on your “Bucket List?”
- Visit family in Africa.
- Travel the world.
- Sky dive.
Are you binge watching anything right now?
- Naruto Shippuden.
If you had one free hour each day, how would you choose to use it?
- Becoming knowledgeable through videos and interviews oh successful people.
If you could run over any NFL LB, past or present, who would it be & why?
- Lawrence Taylor, why not want to run over the best to do it.
What are three words to give NFL scouts that define Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks?
- Underdog.
- Resilient.
- Hard-nosed.
What is your inspiration?
- Family and hardships.
What current/former NFL player do you compare yourself to?
- Marshawn Lynch.
