NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: La’Darius McElroy, WR, Ouachita Baptist University

•    Name: La’Darius McElroy
    •    Height: 6’6”
    •    Weight: 235lbs
    •    Position: WR
    •    College: Ouachita Baptist University 
    •    Twitter: @Lmacc21

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?
    •    I’m from Ashdown AR, very small town in southwest Arkansas. What I love most about it is the people there are very supportive. Not just in my family, but people that just know me and know how much football means to me. They support a lot.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?
    •    I would say Film study,strength & conditioning, then practice. You have to watch film in order to better yourself as a football player! See what defenses are doing and also see areas that you can improve from an athlete standpoint. Also you don’t want to go out on the field and be lost because you didn’t watch film. Next would be strength & conditioning because you don’t want to be out of shape going onto the field or weak in some areas of your body that could get you, or even other players hurt, it’s just not safe, and also you always want to be full speed. Without your conditioning that is very hard to do. Last would be practice because that’s the last peace before a game. That’s where you put everything into action from your film study, to your strength & conditioning. Then the games are easy!

What do you worry about, and why?
    •    Not being the right husband, father, or caregiver that my family will need, becasue being the man of the house comes with great responsibilty and I don’t want to let myself or my family down in that aspect. 

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?
    •   I failed at not making my grades in high school and having to take the Juco route. I overcame it by graduating with my Associates Degree in a year and a half, moving on to Ouachita and becoming the team captian, back to back champions, and MVP of the team my last season.  
What do your teammates say is your best quality?
    •    Leadership and passion for the game

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
    •    Jayru Campbell (Ferris State University Michigan) 

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 
    •  Construction workforce and maybe one day start my own business
Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?
    •    Desk
If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?
    •  One family memeber, because of the relationship I have with my family cannot be replaced.

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?
    •    The Hulk, because he is an unstoppable being.

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?
    •    Not having my biological dad in my life was a challenge, but I overcame it by finding a sport I am passioniate about and having my coaches and mentors play the role of a strong father figure for me and help make me into the man and role model I can be today.  
What is your most embarrassing moment?
    •  At my senior night basketball game in high school I stole the ball on a fast break, I was out in front by myself, travled, and still dunked the ball anyway. The basket did not even count. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?
    •    In a game against Arkansas Tech in 2017 cathcing a third down pass that would set up our next score to win the game that helped make our team confrence champs. 

What song best describes your work ethic?
    •    Backbone by Young Thug 
What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 
    •  I would say having a natural IQ for the game.

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?
    •    My classmate that passed, J.T. Redfearn. To let him know how well we ended up doing our last year in high school and to show him everything I was able to accomplish and also let him know that I am not done yet and he was not forgotten. 

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 
    •    Juice
Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 
    •   Chris Carson

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?
    •    Respected, because there will be people in life that will not like you all the time from who you are or what you have. Being respected means people have to take into account and realize that you are who you are and you are where you are for that reason. 

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?
    •    I don’t feel for a player who has lost everything, bcause of off the field issues. Being a player in the NFL you should always keep you nose clean and you don’t want to be put in a spotlight that shames your name, where you’re from, and espcially the organization that you work for.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?
    •    Hate to lose.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?    Head football coach in high school, Matt Richardson. Since I have known him he has taught me only the right way to do things on and off the field. He has guided me, pushed me, molded me, into a great human being. I never take what he says for granted and I know he is one person outside of family that I can always call.