NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: John Leglue, OL, Tulane University
Player Profile:
- John Leglue
- Tulane University
- OL
- 6’7”
- 310lbs.
- Alexandria, LA
- Twitter: @theJohnLeglue
What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing?
There are two songs the I listen to prior to every game and they are Dead Wrong by Notorious BIG and Touchdown by TI feat Eminem. I have been listening to these songs pregame since high school and these songs get me into my zone.
How would your teammates describe you as both a player and person?
My teammates would describe me as one of the hardest workers on the team. During workouts I would constantly try to push those around me to ensure that they are giving their best effort. They would also say I am smart and a tough individual who gives it everything they have. I would make different calls for the offensive line and I have played through multiple injuries.
How do you and your teammates make practice and film study fun?
We always remind each other that we are blessed to play this game everyday. So each day we find different things to focus on whether it be during different drills, inside run period or team period. During these periods we would want to compete with one another who has the best blocks.
When you are studying film, what is your main focus to gain a competitive advantage?
My main focus while studying film is one thing at a time. While watching my opponents to gain a competitive advantage I watch how their defense lines up versus the different formations we run. Also during the week, I have different focal points. So on Tuesdays, I would focus on 1st and 2nd-down plays we used and watch how the defense plays certain schemes and how the line up. Then on Wednesdays I would focus more on 3rd and long and watch more of their blitzes and line games. I take a lot of pride in knowing my opponent and the different tools that they have in their arsenal. I make sure I know what their favorite pass rush move is and what they do versus a down block or base block. Whether they like to bull pull or shock and shed, it is vital to the success of the whole offensive line to be zoned into what the defense gives us so we can go out and execute each down.
While at the Collegiate level, who has been the toughest player you have competed against?
The best defensive lineman I have competed against has to be Deadrin Senat from USF who now plays for the Atlanta Falcons. He was strong and played with great pad level on a consistent basis.
For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
I am most grateful for my family. My family is a huge component of my life that gives me the drive to go out and work my tail off every day. They have taught me how to persevere through adversity and how hard work will lead to numerous successes. My parents are supportive in every way and have consistently provided me different tools that I need to succeed.
What do you value most from your Collegiate experience?
Winning a bowl game my Redshirt Senior season, receiving my Master’s in Business Administration, and all of my friends are what I value the most from my Collegiate experience. My senior year I had the opportunity to really change the program at Tulane with the help of the other seniors and we came together and gave our team a couple of goals and those goals were a conference championship and a bowl game. We put ourselves in a great opportunity to go to the conference championship but ended up splitting first place in the west division but we were able to go to a bowl game and win for the fifth time in program history. I also had the opportunity to finish my Master’s Degree before I left to train for the NFL and I was able to finish with a good GPA.
How do you work on yourself?
I try to improve something about myself every day. I set little goals and then find that larger goals are more easily accomplished as I check off the minor ones. Most importantly, I focus on being a better person because how we treat others is an effective measure of who we are as a person.
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
I would want to have dinner with Morgan Freeman because I always loved watching him on TV and feel like he is very personable person and has experienced a lot throughout his lifetime.
If you could have any superpower, what power would it be and why?
If I could have any superpower I would want to be able to teleport because I think it would be sweet to be able to go to different cities or places in the blink of an eye.
What would constitute a perfect day for you?
A perfect day would be on a boat fishing with my family or just hanging out with my family and friends.
Who inspired you as a young athlete?
My two older brothers inspired be when I was a young athlete because I hated to lose and I knew I had to continue to work hard so I could beat them in any sport. Being the youngest of three I always looked up to my brothers playing different sports. Therefore, I tried to mimic them so I could evolve my playing strategies and win.
What are the positive attributes that you bring to a professional football team?
Some attributes that I would bring to a professional football team are my work ethic and intellect. I have the ability to get the whole unit on the same page because I can relate to everyone. By leading in this way during my college career we were able to get the change throughout the program with everyone buying into what we were constantly preaching about work ethic. That working hard and being fundamentally sound will get us to where we are trying to go.
Tell me about a time where you overcame a challenge.
My sophomore year we were playing Navy, and unfortunately our center had gotten injured. They made me move from Right Tackle to Center. This was a challenge that I was not expecting but the whole offensive line unit bought in and we ended up scoring on the next two plays.
What one skill would you like to improve on? What’s your plan for doing so?
There is not one specific skill I would like to improve on more than the other. I just want to continue to develop my technique to allow myself to become the best Offensive Lineman I can be.
If you could line up against any NFL D-Lineman, past or present, who would it be and why?
If I could go up against any NFL D-Lineman I would want to go against Leonard Marshall because he and my father are friends. I have seen his tape and I can see he used to get after it versus offensive lineman and I would definitely want to battle in the trenches versus him.
What current/former NFL player do you model your playing style after?
I like to model my game after Andrew Whitworth and Ryan Ramcyzk. Watching both of them play I can tell that they are very fundamentally sound and use great technique. They are able to maintain blocks and execute each play. You can tell by watching both of them they are intelligent and have a great understanding of their offenses.
What is the best part of your hometown; Alexandria, LA?
The best part of my hometown is that it is a smaller city and everyone supports one another. I can never go anywhere without seeing some people that I know.
In 15 words or less, give me your pitch to an NFL GM on why you should be a part of their organization.
I am a versatile, hardworking, and smart offensive lineman that gives everything for the team.
