NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Kadarus Rone, DB, Winston-Salem State University

Name: Kadarus Rone
• Height: 6’4
• Weight: 220
• Position: DB,WR
• College: Winston-Salem State University 
• Twitter: @KadarusRone

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

 I’m from a small town called  Pittsboro NC, what I love most about this town is if you are good in sports, they are behind you 100%. If you aren’t playing sports and doing something positive it’s so easy to get in trouble here. 

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

1. Strength and conditioning 2. Film study 3. Practice Strength and conditioning is one thing my coaches and even my father has always told me because you have to take care of your body before anything so you can perform at the highest level. There are 4 quarters in a football game, surviving all 4 is the main key. Secondly, film study is also important so you can know what your opponents will throw at you and how to stop it. Film study gives you visual ideas on what your opponent does.
The third thing is practice, practice makes perfect for the game. The film also falls with practice because whatever you have gone over in the film you will see in practice that week.

What do you worry about, and why?

I try not to worry too much about things because God gives tough battles to his strongest soldiers and I have overcome a lot in my life.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

I never actually failed at anything, I never approach an obstacle saying I will fail, I always give my best, I dislocated my knee my freshman season of college at WSSU and had to go under a 10 to 11 hour surgery, my injury was labeled as a career ending injury but I never gave up and I worked my butt off to get back to what I loved. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

My teammates say my hitting ability is one of my best qualities on the field. Also my dedication, and desire to be successful in whatever I do.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

Trenton cannon, he played for VSU and now with the New York Jets.

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football?

If I couldn’t play football, I would still have basketball. I was also a basketball star in my hometown and played AAU basketball. If I couldn’t play both sports I would definitely give back to the youth and become a coach. I am majoring in Physical Education & Sports Studies,  With my major, I want to become a coach at any level so I can give my knowledge back to the younger guys to help them be successful.
Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?  Room, car, desk 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

I would save my family member because this is my actual family, and family comes first. If I could save everyone I would but most definitely my family member. 

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

Chris Tucker, because I make everybody smile and laugh when I come in the room. I try to smile a lot myself even when I’m down. My dad always told me to “smile even if you aren’t happy but never let the next man know you are down.” Chris Tucker is one of my favorite comedians and if you are around me then you know I always try to make people smile and laugh.

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

Losing my dad to cancer was the hardest thing I ever had to go through. Nobody actually knows what it feels like to lose a parent or watch your parent suffer and you can’t do anything about it. Still to this day it hurts because it’s a lot of experiences I would love to share with my dad now that I’m older. I lost him at 13 years old going into my 9th-grade year, I never wanted to pick up a basketball or football again after he passed because I felt like my biggest supporter and coach wouldn’t be there anymore. Seeing my dad laying in his hospital bed and everyone around me crying in my family I knew I had to put my family on my back and make a name for myself and for my family but also my dad. My mom helped me get through everything also some of my childhood friends who knew my dad helped me stay focus. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

My most embarrassing moment is when I was like 6 or 7 I cut my eyebrows off and had to go to school the next day like that. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career? My most memorable play is my freshman season when we beat Bowie State For CIAA Championship by a field goal.

What song best describes your work ethic?

“Hell and back” by NBA Youngboy

Because he talks about grinding to make it out and going through a lot of pain but he still staying focus and never giving up. 

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level?

Discipline and being able to listen. 

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

My dad because that was my heart and soul. My dad and I always together, my mom yelled at both of us for doing stuff she didn’t like but we kept doing it. My dad was like my partner in crime, mentor, coach, and a father all in one. Everyone tells me I’m a spitting image of my dad and act just like him. 

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it?

Rone’s bar and grill 

Who is the most overrated player in the NFL?

Tavon Austin

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

I would rather be respected than liked because respect carries you a long way in life. I have earned a lot of respect through sports because of the way I perform and respond to certain situations that are thrown my way.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

Colin Kaepernick, because he is only standing for his beliefs and others, he did nothing wrong or illegal. Many people don’t understand his meaning of everything but he is speaking for others but instead, he is being punished for it.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

I love to win, every athlete should never say they love losing because when you are losing you aren’t having fun. Losing also builds you as a man and player, learn from your losses so you can be successful the next try. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

My parents because they will always believe in me no matter what. They have also been a driving force for helping me to succeed in life.  Now that I only have my mom here she is my rock and I want to be successful for myself but most importantly her.