NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: LaShaun Sanders Jr., DB, Capital University

•       Name: LaShaun Sanders Jr
        •       Height: 6’0-1/2

•       Weight: 185
        •       Position: CB/FS/ATH
        •       College: Capital University (Ohio University Transfer)
        •       Twitter: @lsjr_xi

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?
        •    My hometown is Columbus, Ohio. It’s a pretty big and diverse city. What I love most about it is the wide variety of activities you can find in Columbus.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?
        •   Film Study – There are always going to be people stronger and faster than you at there. But through film study you pick up on tendencies which give you an advantage.            Practice- You only get better through repetition. Practice is the best way to prepare you for what is to come.            Strength and Conditioning- Strenghth and conditioning in my opinion is definitely important. I feel that you can be as strong and in shape as you want, but if you cannot execute and can’t utilize that strength and conditioning what good does it do

What do you worry about, and why?
        •   I mostly worry about my family and God. I was raised by a loving mother who gave me everything she could. I want to one day show her how thankful I am for all that she and the Lord have done and blessed me with. I worry about keeping true to that every day.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?
        •   One specific example I can remember was when I played Pop Warner. My team was one game away from making the playoffs but on the last play to win the game I fumbled just before the goal line. I was devastated that I lost our team the game and cost us making the playoffs. The next season I returned and played my final season of Pop Warner and led my team to the playoffs for the first time ever.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
        •   My teammates say my best quality is keeping things fun. We play this game to have fun at the end of the day. Winning is the cherry on top. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
        •   The best player I have ever played against was Jeff Janis my freshman year of college 

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 
        •   Hard to imagine because I have always known football, but if I didn’t have football I would want to be in a marketing field. 

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?
        •   Room

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 one family member because the bonds you build with family is unbreakable. 

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?
        •  If I could be any television or movie character I would want to be Bugs Bunny. Bugs Bunny is cunning, smooth, athletic and he knows how to have fun while he embodies these characteristics.

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?
        •   My biggest adversity in life would be transferring twice to try to find a school I felt suited my needs. Not only athletically but academically as well. Everything that comes with transfers I would consider a lot of adversity to overcome. For example after my freshman year of college at Malone University I decided to transfer to OU. Because I was coming from Division II I had to sit out a year before walking on to the football team. I had to work day in and day out to not only maintain but build on what I had done as a freshman. I put on 15lbs the year I sat out. Ended up making the team at OU, but did not like the academic side of the university. Because of that I transferred again to Capital University where I settled in and found a home. I would call that adversity.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
        •   My most embarrassing moment is when I walked into the cafeteria my freshman year at Malone University, at the most crowded time of the day, and knocked all the plates that were stacked up onto the floor. Everyone was staring at me and I had no idea what to do. So I ended up taking a bow and walking out of the cafeteria.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?
        •   The most memory play in my college career would have to be when I hit the running back from John Carroll in the backfield for a loss on a stretch play my Junior year. I played in the box as a SS that game.

What song best describes your work ethic?

        •     If I had to choose a song that best describes my work ethic it would be Multipy by A$AP Rocky.

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 
        •     The most important trait you can have to succeed at the next level is a positive mindset. It takes a lot to play at the next level but if you come with focus and a positive mindset you never know what you will achieve. 

 
If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?
        •     If I could bring one person back from the dead for one day it would be Martin Luther King. The things that man did paved the way for me to live the life that I do. I think even bringing him back for just a day could change the world for the better.

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 
        •      Club 5 

Who is the most overrated player in the NFL? 
        •     I don’t think any of them are overrated to be honest. They made it there and until I can say I did also, I don’t think I can call anyone overrated. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?
        •      I would rather be respected than liked because I feel respect is more genuine. Feelings are temporary but if you are able to gain the respect of someone else, that is a genuine bond. 

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?
        •       I feel the most for Mike Vick. I chose Mike Vick because before the dog fighting scandal he was unstoppable. The definition of a game changer. When he spoke out about the scandal I felt like he just couldn’t get away from the life he was trying to leave behind to pursue his career in the NFL. I understand how a persons circumstance can impact their lives and I hated to see someone with so much talent have their career derailed just at its peak.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?
        •       I hate to lose more than I love to win. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?
        •       My mother and my aunt have been the biggest influences on my life. Growing up in a single parent household my mom did the best she could with help from my aunt to raise my brother, my cousin, and myself. They taught us about life and prepared us the best they could to succeed. I truly feel that did a great job and am blessed to have them both.